On June 10, 2026, in Hayesville, North Carolina, two people, Wanda Holden Cotton and David Stanley DuPriest Jr., were found dead in Cotton's home. Both died from single gunshot wounds. The Clay County Sheriff's Office investigation concluded that DuPriest shot Cotton before turning the gun on himself, indicating a murder-suicide. DuPriest was reportedly living with Cotton at the time.
Country: United States
State/Province: North Carolina, United States
City/Region: Hayesville
Incident Type: Murder-Suicide
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration: Boyfriend
Incident Date: June 10, 2026
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Boyfriend
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-06-10
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Two people found dead in western NC home; one was self-inflicted, sheriff's office says
Domestic Violence
The incident reflects a domestic violence pattern where a romantic partner killed the other before committing suicide. The presence of firearm access and escalation to lethal violence are consistent with such patterns in intimate partner violence cases.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office conducted a welfare check leading to the discovery of the bodies. Investigators from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and medical examiners assisted. The crime scene search, interviews, and medical examinations concluded the murder-suicide sequence. The suspect was deceased at the scene, limiting further interrogation.
No significant confusion reported; the sheriff's office clearly stated the sequence of events as DuPriest shooting Cotton before himself.
Officers responded to a welfare check at Cotton's home after she missed work. Upon entry, both Cotton and DuPriest were found dead from single gunshot wounds. Investigations confirmed DuPriest shot Cotton and then himself. The couple was in a dating relationship and living together at the time.
High risk due to firearm access and escalation to lethal violence within a domestic partnership.
Early welfare checks can uncover fatal domestic incidents. Firearm access in domestic conflicts poses high lethality risk. Clear evidence of murder-suicide highlights the need for intervention in escalating domestic violence situations.
No early signals reported prior to the incident; the welfare check was triggered by Cotton missing work.
Single gunshot wounds to both victims and the crime scene evidence indicating the sequence of shooting.
Crime scene search, medical examinations, and interviews provided strongest evidence for murder-suicide determination.
Not reported.
No follow-up reports available beyond initial investigation and official statements.
No unresolved issues reported; the case status is closed with suspect deceased.