PATASKALA, Ohio -- Police say an Ohio man sent a letter to a business associate saying his family would soon be dead and then fatally shot his wife, son and himself.

The businessman who received the letter, William Beer, says John Eckard was ill and the family, which owned a used car dealership, lived beyond its means.

Beers called police immediately after reading the letter Thursday morning.

Pataskala Police Chief Chris Forshey says Eckard left a number of letters indicating legal and financial hardship and declining health.

He says police went to Eckard's four-bedroom colonial in suburban Columbus and found the bodies of the 45-year-old Eckard, 45-year-old Nicole Eckard and 9-year-old Nicholas.

Forshey says each died of a single gunshot wound to the head.