A married couple was found shot dead inside their Wilmington, North Carolina, home on Thursday, one day after they appeared to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said investigators believe the deaths resulted from a murder-suicide. An emergency response was reportedly triggered when one of the couple’s smartwatches detected a fall and automatically contacted 911. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The victims were identified as Stephen Larnell Willetts and Tracey Parker Willetts. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a possible motive or provided additional details about the circumstances leading to the shootings.
The couple was described by acquaintances as active members of the Wrightsville Beach paddleboarding community. A neighbor also said Stephen Willetts was a retired Army service member, while a relative described him as a devoted emergency medical technician.
Article Subheadings
| 1) | Emergency call brings deputies to Wilmington home |
| 2) | Investigators classify deaths as suspected murder-suicide |
| 3) | Couple had recently marked 40th wedding anniversary |
| 4) | Friends and neighbors remember the couple |
| 5) | Sheriff’s investigation remains open |
Emergency call brings deputies to Wilmington home
Deputies with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office responded early Thursday to an emergency call at the Willettses’ home in Wilmington. The call followed an alert from one of the couple’s smartwatches, which reportedly detected a fall. When the alert was not canceled, the device automatically contacted 911, prompting emergency personnel to respond.
Investigators found both Stephen Willetts and Tracey Willetts inside the residence. Each had suffered apparent gunshot wounds. Authorities have not released the precise time of death or said which person was found first.
Investigators classify deaths as suspected murder-suicide
The sheriff’s office said the evidence gathered so far points to a murder-suicide in which the wife fatally shot her husband before taking her own life. That assessment is preliminary and reflects the investigators’ current understanding of the scene.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives believe this to be a murder-suicide in which the wife fatally shot her husband before taking her own life.
Officials have not announced a motive, identified a firearm or described any note or other evidence that might explain what happened. Additional findings could emerge as detectives complete interviews, forensic work and other investigative steps.
Couple had recently marked 40th wedding anniversary
Public social media profiles indicated that the couple had apparently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, the day before they were found dead. The timing has drawn attention because the anniversary was the couple’s last publicly noted milestone before the fatal incident.
The Willettses lived in Wilmington, a coastal North Carolina city near Wrightsville Beach. Available information does not indicate whether anyone else was present at the home when the emergency response began.
Friends and neighbors remember the couple
The couple appeared frequently in paddleboarding photographs shared online, including images associated with Wrightsville Beach. People familiar with them described the Willettses as well known in the local paddleboarding community, suggesting that the two shared an active outdoor lifestyle.
A neighbor said Stephen Willetts was retired from the Army. Fuller Royal, who identified himself as Tracey Willetts‘ second cousin, said Stephen had been a lifelong friend and a devoted EMT. Royal also said the couple lost two sons within a year of each other between 2013 and 2014.
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.
Sheriff’s investigation remains open
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is active and ongoing. Detectives are expected to document the scene, examine forensic evidence and establish a detailed timeline surrounding the emergency call and the deaths.
No further public findings were provided. Until the investigation is complete, the murder-suicide classification remains the authorities’ stated preliminary conclusion rather than a final court determination.
Key Points
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen and Tracey Willetts were found shot dead in their Wilmington home. |
| 2 | Investigators believe the deaths were a murder-suicide. |
| 3 | A smartwatch fall alert reportedly triggered the 911 response. |
| 4 | The couple had apparently celebrated their 40th anniversary the previous day. |
Summary
Authorities in Wilmington are investigating the deaths of a married couple found inside their home after an automated smartwatch alert brought emergency responders to the property. The sheriff’s office currently believes the case was a murder-suicide, but has not released a motive or completed its investigation. The couple’s recent anniversary and their connections to the local paddleboarding community have emerged as part of the early account of their lives and final days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims?
Stephen Larnell Willetts and Tracey Parker Willetts were the married couple found dead in their Wilmington, North Carolina, home.
What do investigators believe happened?
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said detectives currently believe Tracey Willetts fatally shot Stephen Willetts before taking her own life.
How were authorities alerted?
One of the couple’s smartwatches reportedly detected a fall and automatically called 911 after the alert was not canceled.
Is the investigation complete?
No. Authorities said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and they have not publicly disclosed a motive or all forensic findings.
