Lisa Kay Strief Mansfield, a 54-year-old woman from Moncure, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on March 15, 2020. She was born on August 26, 1965, in Iowa County, Iowa, and was the daughter of Roger Allen Strief and the late Beatrice Kay Colton Strief. Lisa was married to Ellis Max Mansfield, and they shared a loving marriage for thirteen years.
She worked as an office manager at Center Heating and Air and was a member of the New Elam Christian Church.
Lisa's death was part of a devastating murder-suicide incident that occurred in Moncure. On the evening of March 15, 2020, Chatham County sheriff's deputies were called to three homes on a single property in Moncure. They discovered seven people dead, including Lisa Mansfield, her husband Ellis Mansfield, and other family members. The suspected gunman, Larry Ray, had shot six adults before taking his own life. The victims included Lisa's husband Ellis, 73, and other relatives.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the community was left in shock by the tragic loss of multiple family members in such a sudden and violent manner. Sheriff Mike Roberson described the incident as unimaginable and expressed deep sympathy for the families affected. The surviving teenage son of one of the victims called 911 and reported the shooting, leading to the discovery of the bodies.
The Chatham County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into the incident. However, no arrests or suspects were identified beyond the deceased gunman, Larry Ray. The case did not lead to any ongoing litigations or further legal proceedings, as it was determined to be a murder-suicide.
The community of Moncure mourned the loss of Lisa Mansfield and the other victims, and efforts were made to support the surviving family members through various assistance programs and care funds. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the small community, and the memory of Lisa and the other victims continues to be honored and remembered.
