Father Believed To Have Died Accidentally In Son's Suicide

MERCER ISLAND - Ness Joseph Peha, 36, left behind two despondent-sounding notes - one in his pocket, the other on the kitchen table - that have led police to believe he killed himself intentionally and his father inadvertently.

The bodies of Ness Peha, and his father, Joseph, were found by police in the elder Peha's home Tuesday.

Joseph Peha, longtime owner of Ness Flowers in the University District, was lying in bed, dressed in his pajamas. His son was found on the floor of the garage. The ignition of a car in the garage was on and soot stained the walls.

Both men died sometime between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning of asphyxiation from breathing carbon monoxide fumes, according to the King County medical examiner's office.

The notes from the younger Peha ``weren't very specific, but rather philosophical'' with a tone of despondency, said Mercer Island police Sgt. Jim Meyers.

Ness Peha was separated from his wife and a divorce was pending.

Although Meyers didn't reveal the exact contents of the notes, he said there was no mention of the father - leading police to believe Joseph Peha's death was an accident.

Police have yet to understand clearly the younger Peha's state of mind and intent, Meyers said, but the elder Peha's death still is classified as homicide. It is not considered a murder, however, Meyers said.

Police broke into the Pehas' home in the 4700 block of 90th Avenue Southeast after Joseph Peha's wife, Claire, called police. She was visiting a daughter in California and was worried because she couldn't reach her husband by telephone.