Michael Dale Splawn, a 49-year-old white male from Forest City, North Carolina, died on April 9, 2018. He was born on January 26, 1969, in Cleveland County. Michael was known for his work in construction and was a past member of Hicks Grove Baptist Church. He was a loving person who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and he was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan who also enjoyed fishing.
The circumstances surrounding Michael's death were tragic.
On the night of April 8, 2018, Michael was found dead in the home of Jason Daniel Butler, a 45-year-old man from Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Jason Butler was arrested after confessing to the fatal shooting of Michael Dale Splawn. The incident occurred after a disturbance call was made to the Travelers Rest police, who found Butler's wife, Shannon, sitting on the curb with two handguns on the ground in front of her. Shannon told officers that the guns belonged to Jason and that he had shot and killed Michael in their home the night before.
When officers approached Jason Butler in his vehicle, he was holding a gun to his head. He was convinced to drop the weapon and was subsequently arrested. Jason Butler faced a murder charge after Rutherford County Sheriff's Office deputies found Michael Dale Splawn dead in Butler's home. Shannon Butler, who was charged with possessing firearms without a license, told the judge that she feared for her life and that Jason had threatened to kill her and then himself. She also mentioned that Jason had been on several medications and was delirious at the time of the incident.
Jason Butler was extradited to Rutherford County to face the murder charge. The case garnered significant attention due to the tragic nature of the events and the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation revealed that Jason Butler had been experiencing severe mental health issues, which contributed to the fatal shooting of Michael Dale Splawn.
