On September 18, 2024, at approximately noon, the Burke County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of gunshots at a residence on Stephens Road in Morganton, North Carolina. Upon entering the home, deputies discovered 65-year-old Rita McCoy Hoglen deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly identified her husband, Gerald Hoglen, as the primary suspect in her death.
Shortly thereafter, authorities located Gerald at a separate location on Chester Avenue in Morganton, where he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide, with evidence suggesting that Gerald fatally shot his wife, Rita, before taking his own life. The Burke County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Rita was remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, deeply devoted to her family and faith. She was an active member of El Bethel Baptist Church and had recently retired after a 38-year career as a manager with the State Employees Credit Union.
The community has been deeply affected by the loss, with many expressing their condolences and lighting candles in her memory. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to understand the events leading up to this heartbreaking incident.
