Emily Grace Ward, a 15-year-old girl from Lenoir, NC, tragically passed away on June 30, 2021. Emily was born on April 7, 2006, and was the daughter of Ronald Albert Ward and Karen Brown Ward. She was an upcoming sophomore at Hibriten High School and was due to start her first job. Emily was known for her budding artistic talents and her love for animals.
On the morning of June 30, 2021, a tragic incident occurred at the Ward family home on Laurel Place in Lenoir.
Ronald James Ward, 29, fatally shot his father, Ronald Albert Ward, 58, and his two sisters, Katlyn Nichole Ward, 18, and Emily Grace Ward, 15. After committing the murders, Ronald James Ward set the house on fire using an accelerant and then turned the gun on himself. The explosion and fire that followed were reported by neighbors who heard gunshots and saw smoke coming from the house.
The Lenoir Police Department, along with the Lenoir Fire Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the bodies of the victims inside the house. The investigation revealed that all four victims had died from gunshot wounds before the fire was set. The mother of the household, Karen Brown Ward, was not at home during the incident as she was at a doctor's appointment.
Authorities determined that Ronald James Ward acted alone in the murders and the subsequent arson. The investigation concluded that the crime was not random, and no other suspects were involved. The tragic event left the community in shock and mourning, as they grappled with the loss of Emily Grace Ward and her family members.
