Pitt County, N.C. — A tragic double homicide shook the community Wednesday morning, as law enforcement officials discovered the bodies of an elderly couple inside a home. The victims, identified as 67-year-old Frances Ruffin and her husband, 73-year-old Rayfield Ruffin, were found by deputies responding to a call shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Deborah Court.
Family members expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing the couple as beautiful people who touched many lives. “My heart shattered. I could hardly wrap my mind around it,” said Kiana Cherry, a relative, conveying the overwhelming grief the family is experiencing. “It feels surreal; this isn’t how I envisioned the new year. They deserve to be remembered as the wonderful souls they were.”
Authorities arrested 34-year-old Martinez Ruffin, the couple’s grandson, shortly after the investigation commenced. According to Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance, he has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Investigators believe that Martinez Ruffin is responsible for beating and stabbing both of his grandparents.
Sheriff Dance noted that while one knife was recovered from the scene, there may be other potential weapons involved in the incident. “We are still working through the evidence to understand all the details,” she stated, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation.
This tragic occurrence at the Ruffin residence is not the first the family has faced. Sheriff Dance revealed that just last October, a 5-year-old child died in an accidental shooting at the same home, adding to the community’s grief and shock over these recent events.
As the investigation continues, deputies are meticulously processing evidence and striving to uncover the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking act. The eerie parallels of the prior tragedy have left many in the community questioning how such violence can strike within a family.
Local residents have begun to gather to support the Ruffin family during this difficult time. Community members are expressing their condolences and sharing memories of the couple, highlighting the impact they had on those around them.