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NC Couple Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide
4 Aug
Summary
- Couple found deceased in New Hanover County home on July 30.
- Smartwatch detected a fall or lack of pulse, alerting authorities.
- Couple was active in the local paddleboarding community.
In New Hanover County, North Carolina, Stephen Larnell Willetts and Tracey Parker Willetts were found deceased in their Rowsgate Lane home on the morning of July 30. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office (NHCSO) stated that evidence indicates a murder-suicide, where the wife is believed to have fatally shot her husband before taking her own life.
Authorities were alerted to the tragedy when a victim's smartwatch detected a fall or lack of pulse, automatically dialing 911. The couple was a familiar presence in the Wrightsville Beach paddleboarding community and had recently returned from a trip celebrating their 40th anniversary. Neighbors described Stephen as exceptionally friendly. The investigation remains active, with no motive publicly released at this time.
