Charles "Charlie" David Tarpley, a 6-year-old boy from King, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on February 4, 2015, in what authorities have determined to be a murder-suicide. Charlie, along with his 9-year-old brother Coleton and their parents, Coleton and Amanda Tarpley, were found dead in their home from gunshot wounds. The Stokes County Sheriff's Office conducted a preliminary investigation and concluded that Coleton Tarpley, the father, was the shooter.
The family had a history of marital troubles, which culminated in a custody battle between Coleton and Amanda Tarpley. On March 4, 2014, Coleton Tarpley filed for custody of their two children, alleging that Amanda had left the family home to live with a lover in King. He claimed that Amanda was not fit to have custody of the children due to a nervous breakdown or similar disorder. A temporary custody order filed on May 21, 2014, granted Coleton primary custody of the children, with Amanda having limited visitation rights.
On the day of the incident, the children were to arrive home early from Poplar Springs Elementary School due to an early dismissal. Coleton Tarpley's father, Charles David Tarpley, went to the house to get the children off the bus and noticed something was wrong. He called the Stokes County Sheriff's Office for a welfare check, and upon arrival, deputies found the family deceased inside the home.
The investigation revealed that all four family members had been shot in the head, and the suspected firearm was found on the premises. Neighbors reported not hearing any gunshots, and the motive behind the tragic event remains unclear. The Stokes County Sheriff, Mike Marshall, refused to provide further details on the investigation.
The deaths of Charlie, Coleton, Amanda, and Coleton Tarpley have left the community in shock and mourning. Both children attended Poplar Springs Elementary School, with Charlie enrolled in the special needs program. The family had been rebuilding their home to care for their disabled son, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
