Mary Lee, a 58-year-old woman from Pikeville, NC, was found dead inside her home on March 27, 2019. The investigation revealed that she died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Alongside her, her daughter, Diamond "Brooks" Lee, aged 39, was also found dead from a similar gunshot wound. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office concluded that the deaths were either a murder-suicide or a suicide pact, as there was no evidence of a third person being involved.
A weapon was found at the scene, and the investigation was wrapped up shortly after the incident.
Friends and family of Brooks Lee mentioned that she had been emotionally distressed for years following the suicide of her 15-year-old son, Kaleb Braswell, in the same home. This emotional turmoil was believed to have contributed to the tragic events. Brooks Lee's boyfriend, Don Cook, called 911 after discovering the scene, stating that Brooks had locked herself in the bathroom and shot herself after he kicked the door in. Both women were reported to have been suffering from mental health issues and had sought help through social services.
The case did not result in any arrests or further investigations, as the evidence pointed towards the deaths being a result of either a murder-suicide or a suicide pact. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they were not actively looking for any other suspects, and the case was closed. The tragic deaths of Mary Lee and her daughter highlighted the severe impact of mental health issues and the importance of seeking support during difficult times.
