North Carolina Murder-Suicide: Man Shoots Mother Inside Vehicle Before Killing Self

In an apparent murder-suicide in North Carolina, a 55-year-old son fatally shot his mother before killing self while inside a vehicle. Authorities said that the incident took place on Sam Hatcher Road and Nine Mile Road in Newport Friday.

The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting incident. In a release, authorities said that deputies were called to do a welfare check at a residence located at 563 Gales Creek Road in Newport. When deputies arrived at the home, they did not find anyone.

A short time later, deputies located a vehicle belonging to the homeowner parked on Sam Hatcher Road and Nine Mile Road. The bodies of two people were inside the car. Police identified them as 55-year-old Mark Andrew Muench and his 79-year-old mother Catherine Howard Muench. The duo was found with gunshot wounds to the head. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The driver of the vehicle was in possession of a handgun and a suicide note with an identification card that was attached to his chest,” Detective Sgt. Greg Mason said, according to local reports.

A preliminary investigation revealed the act was a pre-planned murder-suicide. The scene indicated Mr. Muench shot his mother as she sat in the passenger seat and then turned the gun on himself.

Other details about the incident are yet to be revealed. A motive in the case also remains unknown.

In another murder-suicide incident earlier this month, a 51-year-old man allegedly shot and killed his 83-year-old mother before turning the gun on himself at their home in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Police said that the two people died at the home on the 700 block of Highland Ridge Pte. They were identified as Russell Fiveash, 51, and June Fiveash, 83.

Authorities arrived at the scene after receiving a call to perform a welfare check but found the mother and son pair dead. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

"At this time, it appears as though Russell shot and killed June before killing himself," Cpl. Collin Flynn said at the time. "June was identified as Russell’s mother. A welfare check was originally called in by a hospice nurse that was scheduled to meet with June. Investigators are continuing to investigate this incident."