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A teen from North Carolina and a man in his late twenties are facing serious charges after a tragic incident left three family members dead in their home. Authorities disclosed the details at a news conference on Friday.
The individuals charged are 16-year-old Star Grant and 28-year-old Devon O’Neil Loving. They each face three counts of first-degree murder and a charge of felony conspiracy to commit murder, as confirmed by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
Grant, despite her age, is being prosecuted as an adult due to the gravity of the alleged offenses.
In North Carolina, these charges are classified as Class A felonies, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty if they are convicted.
The shocking events came to light around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday when deputies from Buncombe County responded to a welfare check at a residence on Ashworth Drive in Fairview, where they discovered the victims.
The check was requested by a relative after friends and family had not heard from the victims, officials said.
While deputies conducted two prior welfare checks earlier in the week, one on Monday and another on Wednesday, authorities said they did not have the necessary evidence of an emergency to legally force entry into the home until the third visit.
After entering the house, deputies found the bodies of Travis Eugene Grant, 41, Kimberly Michelle Grant, 42, and Sharon Harwood Grant, 66, all deceased from gunshot wounds.
Authorities confirmed Star Grant is the daughter of Travis and Kimberly Grant, and the granddaughter of Sharon Grant.
Investigators quickly realized the 16-year-old was missing, and through a coordinated effort with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Gatlinburg Police Department, authorities tracked Grant and Loving across state lines.
The pair, whose relationship has not yet been disclosed, were arrested at a hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, shortly before 6 a.m. Friday.
Grant and Loving, both Buncombe County residents, are currently being held in Tennessee.
They are expected to face an extradition hearing on Monday before being transferred back to North Carolina to face charges.
No motive has been released as of Friday afternoon.
Authorities maintain there is no ongoing threat to the public.