A North Carolina couple, Stephen Larnell Willetts and Tracey Parker Willetts, were found dead in their Wilmington home. Authorities believe the incident to be a murder-suicide.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office reported that evidence suggests Tracey Willetts fatally shot her husband before turning the gun on herself. Deputies arrived at the scene on Thursday following an EMS call.
An automatic call to 911 was triggered by one of the couple’s smartwatches detecting a fall, according to WWAY. The Willetts had recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary prior to the tragedy.
Both were noted paddleboarders and active in the Wrightsville Beach community. Stephen, aged 65, was a retired Army veteran, while Tracey was remembered on a social media post by her second cousin, Fuller Royal. Royal expressed his sympathy and referenced the tragic loss of the couple’s two sons within a single year between 2013 and 2014.
The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the investigation remains active and ongoing.