Rayfield Ruffin and Frances Ruffin die in fatal Pitt County North Carolina home killing

Rayfield Ruffin and Frances Ruffin die in fatal Pitt County North Carolina home killing

Fatal Pitt County North Carolina home death of Rayfield Ruffin and Frances Ruffin – Obituary

Investigators in Pitt County are looking into the violent deaths of Rayfield Ruffin and his wife, Frances Ruffin, who were found dead inside their home.

Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance said deputies were dispatched to a residence on Deborah Court shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after a 911 call from a family member reported discovering the bodies. When officers arrived, they located 73-year-old Rayfield Ruffin and 67-year-old Frances Ruffin deceased inside the house.

Authorities identified the couple’s grandson, 34-year-old Martinez Ruffin, as the suspect in the case. He was arrested not far from the scene after deputies located him walking along a nearby roadway.

According to the sheriff’s office, Martinez Ruffin is facing two open counts of murder along with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. Investigators said the victims suffered a combination of blunt force injuries and stab wounds.

Officials explained that the family member who contacted emergency services had initially gone to the home, left briefly to go to a store, and then returned to find the victims inside.

Sheriff’s officials also noted that the residence is the same location where a child was accidentally shot and killed last year. The investigation into the deaths of Rayfield and Frances Ruffin remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence.