Raleigh Police Investigate Murder-Suicide

A police officer was doing some follow-up work on a missing person report Tuesday morning when it led to the discovery of two people shot to death at the Fairfield Inn, located near Crabtree Valley Mall, at 2201 Summit Lane.

Authorities believe 53-year-old Walter Edward Jones of Raleigh shot Barbara Jean Wheless Jackson, 62, of Holly Springs before turning the gun on himself.

Police said Jackson told relatives that she was meeting Jones at a hotel Monday. When she had not returned home Tuesday, they called 911. Friends said Jackson had become concerned about Jones' behavior recently.

Those who knew Jackson remember her as being full of life.

"(She was) just the nicest person," said Melissa Cook, who owns a store next to the antique shop where Jackson worked. "She always just kept you in hysterics. She would help anybody, would do anything for anybody."

Cook said Jones and Jackson had been dating, but recently broke off the relationship.

"She had been dating him for quite a while," Cook said. "He seemed to be a nice man and was very much in love with her."

Jones owned a frame business in Cary and a home in Raleigh. Police say Jones had a criminal past, but none of the charges involved domestic violence.

Jackson's family said they are still too distraught to talk about her death. Jones' family has no comment at this time.