North Carolina couple found dead one day after 40th anniversary in suspected murder-suicide

A married North Carolina couple was found dead in a murder-suicide the morning after their 40th wedding anniversary, according to authorities and reports. 

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Tracey Parker Willetts is believed to have shot her husband, Stephen Larnell Willetts, before taking her own life in their Wilmington home last week, according to the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office. 

The Willetts were found dead early Thursday morning after a smartwatch worn by one of them detected a fall and automatically called 911, according to police and WWAY.

The couple had just celebrated four decades since tying the knot on Wednesday, according to Tracey’s Facebook profile. 

Tracey’s second cousin, Fuller Royal, remembered the couple in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing that they heartbreakingly lost their older son, Zack, in 2013, and then their other son, Colby, a year later. 

“It breaks my heart to think of this family no longer existing, except in our hearts and minds,” Royal wrote, alongside a picture he took of the family of four. 

Steve worked as an EMT and “saved a lot of people” through his “work on the squad,” Royal added. 

“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.”

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The couple was also active members of a local paddleboarding community, the outlet said. 

Stephen frequently posted pictures smiling beside his wife and paddleboarding out on the water.

Neighbor Wyatt Heartline told WWAY that Stephen was one of the kindest people in the community. 

“One of the friendlier guys in our neighborhood, honestly, and he was always down to have a conversation,” Heartline said. “I really liked him, and it’s just kind of horrifying what just happened.”

Another neighbor, Andy Johnson, told WECT that Stephen was a former service member and could often be seen walking his dog in the neighborhood.

“He’s retired Army,” Johnson told the outlet. “I was in the Army myself, so we spent a lot of time talking in the afternoons and stuff as he came by. He was very physically fit. He was into paddle boarding. It’s just a sad situation.”

An investigation into the Willletts’ deaths remains ongoing.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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