AUTRYVILLE, N.C. – The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has provided new details regarding a tragic triple murder-suicide that occurred on Sunday morning in a wooded area near Autryville. Authorities responded to a shots-fired call at 9:22 a.m. on Tanner Lane, where they discovered four individuals dead in and around two tents, which served as a makeshift encampment for homeless individuals.
The victims have been identified as Carrie Nichoel Trampel, 41, and the suspect in the case is Dwane Paul Miller, 40, of Marysville, WA, who died by suicide. Evidence at the scene suggests that the four individuals had been residing in the tents for several weeks, indicating a possible ongoing domestic violence dispute between Miller and Trampel. Neighbors reported hearing an argument prior to the sound of gunshots, leading investigators to believe that the tragedy stemmed from a domestic dispute.
In a separate and unrelated investigation, the sheriff’s office is still seeking information regarding the shooting and killing of five individuals inside a house in Clinton, off Garland Highway. The victims have been identified as Alfonza Jeffers, Dagoberto Lopez, Hector Salazar Lopez, Lamar Williams, and Jamie Lynn Rowland (aka Jamie Thompson). The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) has offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the Sampson County murder investigation.
The tragic events in Sampson County serve as a grim reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. Authorities continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that may assist in bringing those responsible to justice. The community is left grieving and in shock as they grapple with the loss of multiple lives in a short timeframe, emphasizing the importance of support and resources for those affected by such senseless acts of violence.