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Inset: Susan Michelle Perry. Background: Home in the 8500 block of New Oak Lane in Huntersville, North Carolina, where Perry allegedly murdered her husband (Google Maps).
A North Carolina woman who initially reported her husband’s death as a suicide is now in custody, with authorities suggesting her internet history points to a premeditated murder. This development has sent shockwaves through the community in the Tar Heel State.
Susan “Michelle” Perry, 54, has been charged with first-degree murder following the death of her husband, 58-year-old Robert “Joe” Perry, in the suburban Charlotte area of Huntersville. Police responded to an emergency call shortly before 1 p.m. on November 10 at a residence located in the 8500 block of New Oak Lane, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit. Upon arrival, officers discovered Susan Perry kneeling on the floor. Further investigation led them to find Robert Perry in his office, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
A firearm was found on a table nearby, with blood droplets scattered around a stool, further complicating the scene.
Susan Perry allegedly told investigators that she heard a “thud,” which she interpreted as her husband falling. Upon rushing to his office, she reportedly found him lying on his side in a pool of blood, prompting her to call 911.
In the course of their investigation, detectives examined the couple’s phones and uncovered Google searches that they claim cast doubt on Susan Perry’s account of events.
“Michelle’s phone had several searches regarding how much her husband’s wedding ring is worth, what to do if your husband wants divorce and you have no money, and Google searched ‘center mass shots,’” cops wrote.
Armed with this information, cops reinterviewed her on Feb. 6, when she allegedly changed her story. She claimed the night prior to the shooting, she spoke with her husband about a possible divorce.
She said that on the day in question, they had an argument that spilled into his office. She said her husband grabbed a gun and was sitting on a stool. He was not pointing it at her but she feared he may shoot her so she grabbed it and a struggle ensued, the affidavit stated.
“She advised while she was holding the firearm, it went off, striking Joe in the chest,” cops wrote.
Detectives noted the defendant made several “inconsistent statements” about how long she waited to call 911 and where she put the gun after he was shot. A medical examiner determined the victim was shot at “close” range.
Susan Perry was arrested and placed in the Mecklenburg County Jail where she remains on $150,000 bond. She’s next slated to appear in court on Feb. 27.