Authorities are investigating a tragic incident where a married couple was discovered lifeless in their North Carolina residence, suspected to be a case of murder-suicide.
On Thursday, Stephen Larnell Willetts and his wife Tracey Parker Willetts were both found shot dead inside their home in Wilmington, North Carolina.
According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, collected evidence suggests this event was a murder-suicide, with indications pointing to the wife shooting her husband before ending her own life.
Stephen and Tracey Willetts were discovered dead from gunshot wounds in their Wilmington, North Carolina, home, as deputies classify the situation as a murder-suicide incident. (Facebook/Meta: Tracey Parker Willetts)
Deputies had initially arrived at the scene following an emergency call early Thursday morning.
One of the Willetts’ smartwatches “detected a fall and automatically called 911 after the alarm was not canceled, prompting the emergency response,” WWAY reported.
Stephen and Tracey Willetts had apparently just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary when they were discovered dead the next day by investigators. (Facebook/Meta: Tracey Parker Willetts)
According to their Facebook profiles, it appears the couple had just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded to an emergency call at the Willettses’ home on Thursday. (Facebook/Meta: Tracey Parker Willetts)
The couple appeared to be avid paddleboarders, as depicted in several photos posted to social media, and was “well known in the Wrightsville Beach paddleboarding community,” WWAY reported.
Tracey Willetts holds a headstand pose on her paddleboard. (Facebook/Meta: Tracey Parker Willetts)
Stephen Willets was an avid paddleboarder alongside his wife Tracey. (Facebook/Meta: Stephen Willetts)
A neighbor told WECT that Stephen Willetts was “retired Army.”
Stephen Willetts was 65 years old when he was found dead, reports say. (Facebook/Meta: Stephen Willetts)
A man named Fuller Royal, who said he was Tracey Willetts’ second cousin, made a post to social media saying that Stephen was a lifelong friend, and a devoted EMT.
According to the post, the Willettses lost their two sons within a year of each other between the years of 2013 and 2014.
Investigators found Stephen and Tracey Willetts dead of apparent gunshot wounds on Thursday. (Facebook/Meta: Tracey Parker Willetts)
Royal wrote, “I can’t begin to imagine how much that hurt and what they went through. I pray they are reunited with their boys and that everyone is whole, safe and at peace. God Bless them all.”
The investigation is active and ongoing, the sheriff’s office says.