Patsy Wood Sauls, a 57-year-old woman from Cary, North Carolina, tragically passed away on September 19, 2019. She was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside her home on Piney Plains Road. The incident was Cary's first homicide of 2019. Patsy was rushed to WakeMed in Cary, but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect in this case was her estranged husband, Michael Curtis Sauls, who was 59 years old at the time. Michael was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. The couple had recently finalized their divorce in March 2019, and the killing was described as a domestic dispute. Michael faced the possibility of the death penalty.
In December 2021, Michael Curtis Sauls was convicted of second-degree murder for the killing of Patsy Wood Sauls. He was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison, with a projected release date in 2040. However, in March 2024, Michael died in prison from an apparent suicide. Law enforcement and the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating his death.
The case brought significant attention to issues of domestic violence and the impact of divorce on familial relationships. Patsy Wood Sauls is remembered fondly by her family and friends, who described her as someone who enjoyed crocheting, gardening, bike riding, and helping those she loved.
