On May 25, 2023, Greenville police responded to a call at approximately 1:15 p.m. at the Belle Meade Apartments located at 1209 Firetower Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of 39-year-old Michael Anthony Wilkes Jr. and 35-year-old Rani Renee Barnes inside one of the apartments. The two were known to be in a romantic relationship.
Based on the evidence collected at the scene, detectives began treating the case as an apparent murder-suicide, pending the results of
autopsies to confirm the exact cause of death.
In the aftermath of the incident, no arrests were made, as the primary individuals involved were deceased. The investigation focused on understanding the circumstances leading up to the tragic event, with authorities awaiting autopsy results to provide further insights.
A Celebration of Life Service for Michael Wilkes Jr. was held on June 10, 2023, at Paradise Christian Center in Greenville, North Carolina. The service was officiated by Elder Josie Cooper, with burial following at Homestead Memorial Gardens.
