Potter County deputies were called about 1 this morning about a woman being beaten. They were initially unable to find the woman at the address to which they responded, 2001 Las Tecovas, northwest of Amarillo. But after forcing entry inside a locked garage, deputies found the body of a woman inside a vehicle. The woman was later identified as Sherri Michelle Gillette, 44. Also found inside the garage by deputies was her husband, 47-year-old Paul Gillette, according to a news release issued by Amarillo police.

Gillette was taken into custody and transported to the Potter County jail.

Authorities said the couple lived on the property but in separate residences. While Sherri Gillette had filed for divorce from her husband in November in 320th District Court, it wasn't immediately clear today whether the divorce had been finalized. Authorities today referred to the couple as husband and wife.

Officials today said there were indications that Sherri Gillette had been physically assaulted. Justice of the Peace Nancy Bosquez was called to the scene this morning and ordered that an autopsy be performed Monday in Lubbock.

It's not clear who first called police about the incident. The news release issued by Amarillo police only refers to a "third party report."

Today's events are a startling development in the ongoing saga involving Paul Gillette.

As of July, had had amassed nearly $1.2 million in liabilities, according to bankruptcy filings in which he proposed to pay at least $365,160 to creditors over the next five years.

Gillette, creator of the stalled Falcon Club development south of Bushland, claimed almost $2.9 million in assets in Chapter 13 bankruptcy documents filed last month in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Amarillo.

The bankruptcy case filed July 6 by Gillette is his third. He filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in 1992 and 2000.

Documents filed in July showed Gillette has $1.85 million in equity in property not exempt from bankruptcy protection.

--Globe-News staff