On February 19, 2026, Catherine Marie "Cassie" Warrington, 50, and David Duffey, 62, were found shot dead outside a residence on Lark Street, Hilton Head Island, SC. The suspect, Dustin Linsley, 52, identified as Warrington's ex-boyfriend, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Bluffton early February 20. Warrington had filed a police report for a domestic situation earlier in February, but no charges were filed. The incident is under investigation as a murder-suicide with a firearm, involving a prior domestic conflict and stalking behavior.
Country: United States
State/Province: South Carolina, United States
City/Region: Hilton Head Island
Incident Type: Murder-Suicide
Relationship Status: Ex-partners
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Incident Date: Feb. 19, 2026
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How the relationship or connection began.
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-02-19
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Victims identified in Hilton Head Island murder-suicide
Domestic Violence
The incident involves a former romantic relationship marked by prior domestic conflict and stalking behavior. The female victim had filed a police report for a domestic situation earlier in the month, indicating escalating tension. The suspect killed the victim and another male before dying by suicide, consistent with a murder-suicide pattern in domestic violence contexts.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is conducting an open investigation. The female victim had filed a police report for a domestic situation in early February, but no charges were filed. Surveillance footage helped identify the suspect's vehicle and residence. The suspect was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident is considered isolated with no ongoing public threat.
No significant confusion reported; suspect identification and cause of death are confirmed. The relationship between victims and suspect is established as ex-domestic partners. The role of David Duffey remains unclear in relation to the primary relationship conflict.
On February 19, 2026, two victims, Catherine Warrington and David Duffey, were found shot outside a residence on Lark Street, Hilton Head Island. The suspect, Dustin Linsley, identified as Warrington's ex-boyfriend, fled the scene but was later found dead by self-inflicted gunshot at his home in Bluffton early February 20. Warrington had previously filed a police report for domestic issues with Linsley. Surveillance footage aided in tracking the suspect. The sequence indicates a murder-suicide following escalating domestic conflict and stalking.
High risk indicated by prior domestic violence report, stalking behavior, and escalation to lethal violence. The suspect's suicide following the murders suggests a severe crisis and potential for lethal outcomes in similar cases.
Early police reports of domestic conflict and stalking are critical warning signs. Surveillance technology can be vital in suspect identification. The case underscores the lethal potential of unresolved domestic violence and the importance of timely intervention.
The police report filed by the female victim for a domestic situation and stalking behavior were the most significant early signals.
Surveillance camera footage identifying the suspect's vehicle and residence helped connect the case.
Physical evidence of gunshot wounds at the scene and the suspect's self-inflicted gunshot wound were strongest. Surveillance footage was also key.
Not reported.
No follow-up reports available beyond initial investigation details.
The exact motive for the killing of David Duffey and his relationship to the primary parties remains unclear.