On November 26, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Autryville, North Carolina, resulting in the death of Daniel Jay Wiltshire, age 44, along with three others. The Sampson County Sheriff's Office responded to a shots-fired call at 9:22 a.m. in a wooded area near the end of Tanner Lane, known to be an encampment for homeless individuals.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered four bodies in and around two tents.
The victims were identified as Daniel Jay Wiltshire, 44, Amber Rae King, 43, and Carrie Nichoel Trampel, 41. The fourth individual, identified as the suspect, was 40-year-old Dwane Paul Miller from Marysville, Washington.
Investigators determined that the incident was a triple murder-suicide. Evidence at the scene suggested that Miller discharged his firearm multiple times, killing the three victims before turning the gun on himself. According to Captain Eric Pope of the Sampson County Sheriff's Office, the four individuals had been living in tents at the encampment for several weeks prior to the incident.
The motive behind the tragic event appears to stem from an ongoing domestic violence dispute between Miller and Trampel, which had originated in another state. Neighbors in the area reported hearing an argument before the gunshots. It remains unclear how Daniel Jay Wiltshire and Amber Rae King were connected to Miller or why they became victims in this violent act.
No arrests were made in this case, as the suspect, Dwane Paul Miller, died by suicide at the scene. The Sampson County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
A memorial service for Daniel Jay Wiltshire was held on Sunday, December 3rd, at Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home. The incident has left the community of Autryville shaken, as they grapple with the loss of four lives in such a violent manner.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing issues of domestic violence and gun violence in the United States. Daniel Jay Wiltshire's name has been added to the National Gun Violence Memorial, serving as a somber reminder of the lives lost to gun-related incidents.
