Rhonda Whisnant, a 55-year-old woman from Morganton, North Carolina, was found dead on March 12, 2014, alongside her husband, Levi Whisnant. Both victims had suffered gunshot wounds. The tragic discovery was made during a welfare check at their home on Fish Hatchery Road. Rhonda Whisnant was described by her nephew, Brandon Whisnant, as a kind-hearted person who loved her family and was a good Christian.
The couple had recently settled into their dream home, which they had built by hand and paid for in cash.
The primary suspect in the murder of Rhonda Whisnant and her husband was their 38-year-old son, Troy David Whisnant. He had previously lived with the couple and was believed to have stolen vehicles from their home. The manhunt for Troy Whisnant led to a series of tragic events, including the ambush and fatal shooting of U.S. Forest Service officer Jason Crisp and his service dog, Maros. Crisp was shot while attempting to apprehend Troy Whisnant in a heavily wooded area near Morganton.
The motive behind the murders of Rhonda and Levi Whisnant remains unknown, and with the death of Troy Whisnant during the manhunt, it is unlikely that the full story will ever be uncovered. The community mourned the loss of the couple, who were well-liked and respected by their neighbors and church members. The investigation into the murders and the subsequent manhunt involved more than 100 local, state, and federal officers, highlighting the severity and impact of the tragic events.
