A couple was found dead inside their home in Wilmington, North Carolina, in a case that authorities are investigating as a suspected murder-suicide.
Stephen Larnell Willetts and Tracey Parker Willetts were found with apparent gunshot wounds Thursday after New Hanover County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an emergency call generated automatically by a smart watch.
According to investigators, the evidence collected so far indicates that the woman fatally shot her husband before taking her own life. However, the investigation remains open.
Authorities maintain the hypothesis of a homicide-suicide
The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office reported that detectives arrived at the home after receiving an alert from emergency medical services.
According to the preliminary investigation, one of the couple's smart watches detected a fall and automatically made a call to 911 after the alarm was not canceled.
In a statement, the sheriff's office said that, "based on evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives believe this was a murder-suicide in which the wife fatally shot her husband before taking her own life."
Authorities have not reported a possible motive and indicated that the investigation is still ongoing.
The couple had recently celebrated their anniversary
According to posts on their Facebook profiles, Stephen and Tracey Willetts apparently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
The next day they were found dead inside their residence in Wilmington.
Stephen Willetts, according to reports, was 65 years old.
Photographs shared on social networks show that both practiced paddleboarding frequently and, according to local media WWAY, were widely known within the community of this sport in Wrightsville Beach.
A neighbor told WECT that Stephen Willetts was a retired member of the United States Army.
Relatives remember the losses the couple faced
After the news broke, Fuller Royal, who identified himself on social media as Tracey Willetts' second cousin, shared a message in which he described Stephen as a lifelong friend and a dedicated emergency medical technician (EMT).
Royal also noted that the couple had suffered the loss of their two children within a period of approximately one year, between 2013 and 2014.
In his post he wrote that he could not imagine the pain they both experienced and expressed his hope that “they are reunited with their children and that they all find peace.”
While the investigation continues, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office reported that the investigation remains active and will release additional information as the case progresses.
