A North Carolina man is behind bars accused of executing his aunt and uncle outside their home on Nov. 7.
Ryvaries Butcher, 35, was arrested hours after the double murder of Michael Powell, 72, and Carolyn Powell, 70, who were shot to the head at point-blank range, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The married couple’s stolen truck led deputies to the suspect’s whereabouts at a Roanoke Rapids hotel where he was apprehended without incidents.
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said that Butcher was “a close neighbor and a relative of the victims.”
Cool Spring Missionary Baptist Church Travis Judkins said that the victims attended services weekly and confirmed that Butcher was their nephew.
“This young man has been plagued with mental health issues for years,” Judkins said.
“I would have hoped long before, there could have been something done. If so, we wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation now.”
