A murder-suicide investigation is underway after a husband and wife were found dead in a Johnston County home Saturday night.
The Johnston County Sheriff's Office identified the couple as Christopher Pugh, 53, and Teresa Adams-Pugh, 54, saying the two were found dead inside their home on Chaney Drive, off Cornwallis Road, around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.
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A female caller phoned 911 around 6:45 p.m. and quickly hung up, according to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office. When authorities called back, a man answered the phone saying that he didn't call 911. A woman could be heard in the background saying, “Why do you want to kill me? I need help," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies responded to the home and reported hearing a gunshot. When 911 operators called the home again, the man answered, agreeing to some outside and speak with law enforcement, according to the sheriff's office.
The man, however, did not come outside. Dozens of deputies, including an armored truck, gathered outside of the home, and negotiators were used to attempt to contact the man.
A search warrant was obtained and, after 11 p.m., deputies entered the home, finding the couple dead.
The incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide. No further information was released.
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). For county-by-county help, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a list of resources at nccadv.org.