Coleton Lee Tarpley Jr., a 9-year-old boy from King, North Carolina, tragically died on February 4, 2015. Coleton, along with his younger brother Charlie, aged 6, and their parents, Coleton Tarpley Sr. and Amanda Tarpley, were found dead in their home in what authorities determined to be a murder-suicide. The family lived in a mobile home on Ralph Boyles Road, north of King, NC.
The Stokes County Sheriff's Office identified Coleton Tarpley Sr., aged 35, as the shooter. He killed his wife Amanda, aged 34, and their two sons before taking his own life. All four family members died of gunshot wounds. The incident was discovered when deputies conducted a welfare check at the family's residence after Coleton Sr. failed to show up for work.
Investigations revealed that there had been marital strife between Coleton Sr. and Amanda. The couple had separated in the spring of 2014, leading to a custody dispute over their children. Despite attempts at reconciliation and counseling, tensions remained high, and troubling accounts of their relationship surfaced in the weeks leading up to the tragic event.
Court records indicated that Coleton Sr. had filed for custody of their children, alleging that Amanda had left the family home to live with a lover and intended to take the children with her. He also claimed that Amanda had suffered a nervous breakdown and was unfit to have custody. A temporary custody order granted Coleton Sr. primary custody, with Amanda having limited visitation rights.
On the day of the incident, the two children did not attend their school, Poplar Springs Elementary. Coleton Sr.'s father, Charles David Tarpley, discovered the bodies when he went to the house to check on the family. The home was surrounded by yellow police tape as deputies conducted their investigation.
The tragic deaths of Coleton Lee Tarpley Jr., his brother Charlie, and their parents shocked the community. Neighbors described the Tarpleys as a nice and helpful family. The investigation concluded that the deaths were a result of a murder-suicide, with Coleton Sr. being the perpetrator.
