Juvenile Suspect in Hoke County Double Homicide Takes His Own Life

Red Springs, North Carolina — A juvenile suspect connected to a double homicide in Hoke County ended his life after being located by police in a different county, officials said on Tuesday.

The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to a cardiac arrest call in the 1000 block of Cope Road on Monday evening. Upon arrival, they discovered two unresponsive individuals, prompting an investigation into the case as a double homicide.

The victims, identified as 52-year-old Ted Chavis and 48-year-old Joanne Chavis, were found dead in their home shortly after 6 p.m.

Details surrounding the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.

Later that evening, authorities traced the suspect, who was the couple’s adopted son, to Lake Wakamah, approximately 80 miles away.

The police in Wakamah Lake found the suspect’s vehicle near the North Carolina Boys and Girls Home, but he was not inside it.

Law enforcement, along with a drone team from the Whiteville Fire Department, thoroughly searched the campus to ensure safety for everyone present.

Initially, they cleared occupied buildings and then searched more isolated areas. During this process, the suspect was located, but he then took his own life.

Paramedics provided assistance, and the suspect was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later passed away.

Columbus County deputies confirmed that no civilians or staff at the Boys and Girls Home were injured during this incident.

The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the circumstances surrounding the juvenile’s suicide.

As a juvenile, the suspect’s identity has not been disclosed.

Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers expressed his sympathies in a statement, emphasizing the support among agencies during this difficult event and the importance of community communication.

On Tuesday, CBS 17 spoke to a neighbor of the Chavis family, Riley Carter, who mentioned that the teenager was quiet and participated in their church community.

“They were nice people. He was in my Sunday school class, really quiet. Not weird, just didn’t talk much,” Carter noted.

When asked about the duration he had been in the class, she estimated it to be around a year and a half to two years.

Carter remarked on how knowledgeable the adopted son was about the Bible, reflecting a typical understanding someone might expect from a dedicated student.

Known for their support of local youth, the Chavises are now believed to have been killed by their adopted son.

Hoke County Sheriff Roderick Virgil expressed his sorrow in a statement, acknowledging the profound sadness in the community and offering condolences to those affected.

He emphasized the need for unity and compassion, urging community members to support one another during such tragic times.

Virgil also extended gratitude to the first responders involved in the investigation.

The Hoke and Columbus County Sheriff’s Offices, along with other local law enforcement agencies, are collaborating on the case.

As of now, there’s no information regarding the motive behind the killings or any direct connections the suspect might have to the Boys and Girls Facility.

Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Detective D. Austin at the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office.