Gun connects Fayetteville woman's death to NJ murder-suicide

Fayetteville, N.C. — A gun used in a New Jersey murder-suicide was also used to kill a Fayetteville woman last week, Cumberland County sheriff's officials announced Wednesday.

Shawna D. Givens, 38, of the 1600 block of Holloman Drive, was found shot to death in her home April 11 around 12:30 p.m. Authorities said she may have been dead for days before she was found.

Deputies went to check on her after she did not show up for work as a medical clerk at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg.

New Jersey authorities were simultaneously investigating the April 11 death of Dr. Payman Houshmandpour, 32, in Voorhees, N.J. Investigators said former colleague Dr. Giocondo Navek, 39, ambushed Houshmandpour as he was leaving his apartment and shot him.

When police caught up to Navek less than a mile away, he pulled his vehicle over and killed himself, they said.

Detectives said Navek, who worked as a physician at Womack Army Medical Center, was Givens' boyfriend and that the couple had spent the Easter holiday together and visited family.

A motive for the shootings has not been released.

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I know Dr. Houshmandpour's wife. He was devoted to her and their child. He was not in any way involved with Givens. He was a victim of an angry, unstable man. All of the coverage about this case in the NJ/PA area makes it clear that the authorities believe Navek's motive for killing Houshmandpour was because Navek was dismissed from his job in NJ and blamed Houshmandpour. Please WRAL, if you are going to continue mentioning Dr. Houshmandpour in your coverage of Givens' murder, include enough details to stop erroneous, crude speculation.

mpheels
April 20, 2012 10:51 a.m.

This was NOT a love triange. Payman loved his family very, very much. Navek killed him because of a work issue. Navek was a pychopath and has ruined the lives of many. There are now 5 children without a parent. Think of them before you leave comments that you know nothing about.

shawnwhittle73
April 19, 2012 8:31 a.m.

Can't to catch the whole story on Nightmare Next Door.

iknowjack
April 18, 2012 1:44 p.m.

I don't see anywhere where it says that Givens and Houshmandpour had ever met or had any other connection. I read in another story that Navek thought Houshmandpour had something to do with him being booted from residency in NJ.

2Jax
April 18, 2012 12:29 p.m.

One of the Primary reasons for murder: love, money, sex and drugs. Unfortunate and a waste for these 3 people. Condolences.