Devinee House, a 41-year-old woman from Clayton, NC, tragically lost her life on July 13, 2010. The incident was a domestic-related double murder-suicide. Devinee House was shot and killed by her husband, William "Billy" House, who also took the life of her 15-year-old stepson, Dakoda Johnson, before turning the gun on himself. The shooting occurred at their home on Castleberry Road in Clayton.
Authorities were called to the scene around 7:50 a.m., where they discovered the bodies of
Devinee House, William House, and Dakoda Johnson. Three children under the age of 10 were also present in the house at the time but were unharmed. Investigators revealed that the Houses were in the process of separating, and deputies had been called to the home multiple times since April of that year.
Neighbors reported hearing a series of gunshots between 1 and 2 a.m., but a 911 call was not made until about six hours later when the younger children awoke. The children's grandmother arrived shortly thereafter and took them away from the scene. Neighbors described the family as friendly and religious, with the couple often arguing at night.
The motive for the shootings remains unclear, but it was reported that William House had talked about shooting his wife and a man he believed to be her boyfriend the day before the incident. Despite this, no immediate action was taken as the neighbor who heard the threat did not believe William House was serious.
