Authorities are investigating what they say is the apparent murder-suicide of a Dawson County couple over the weekend.

The bodies of Donnie and Jacqueline Johnson, both 62, were found Saturday night by a neighbor who stopped by their New Bethel Church Road home.

Dawson County Sheriff's Maj. John Cagle said investigators suspect Donnie Johnson shot his wife in the chest while she was in bed and then turned the rifle on himself.

He said the shootings occurred sometime between 10:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities have ruled out foul play.

"It is our understanding they both had some serious health issues going on and he was depressed about his and her health," Cagle said.

The bodies were taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab in Atlanta for autopsies, the results of which likely won't be known for days.

Jacqueline Johnson's death is the first slaying in Dawson County since December 2009, when Paul and Jennifer Budrawich's bodies were pulled from the Amicalola River.