Motive probed in murder of 2 sisters near Hilmar

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Authorities have released new information about the man accused of murdering his wife and her sister before deputies shot and killed him.

Ronda Hiatt and Lisa Robbins were found shot to death at a home near Hilmar on Friday. Deputies now say Hiatt was at her sister's house when they were both gunned down in the backyard. Investigators believe Hiatt and her husband were separated, and marital issues may have played a role in the murder.

Hiatt's arms are wrapped around her husband in a Facebook profile picture, and his wall includes loving messages from 2011, before they were married. But deputies say their relationship took a deadly turn Friday night near Hilmar.

"Ronda Hiatt, age of 47, resident of Mariposa, California, and her sister, Lisa Robbins, age 51 of Hilmar were the victims in this fatal shooting," said Deputy Delray Shelton with the Merced County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities found the women's bodies with multiple head and face area gunshot wounds in the backyard of Robbins' home. Detectives immediately started searching for a suspect, and just hours later tracked down Brian Hiatt, 49, at the intersection near the Motel 6 in Turlock. They say he was armed with a gun.

"A confrontation occurred with Mr. Hiatt being the aggressor, and he was subsequently shot and killed by deputies," said Shelton.

The shooting was captured on cellphone video and is still under investigation by Turlock police. They have confirmed two deputies fired at Hiatt. Meanwhile, the Merced County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the double homicide. Shelton says it appears Brian and Ronda were separated and struggling with marital issues, but the exact motive may never be clear.

"The question always comes forth is what happened or why did this happen? And it's unique because we may never know obviously because the two victims are dead and the suspect is also now dead," said Shelton.

Brian Hiatt was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail back in 2006 on assault charges. He was living in Mariposa before this weekend's deadly shooting. Action News spoke with his niece this weekend, who said she's disgusted by what he did but still sad to lose her uncle. The victims' relatives have said they are absolutely heartbroken.