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Four charged in deaths of couple found in Fairmont field

Four Lumberton residents were arrested Wednesday in the deaths of two people whose bodies were found in a field south of Fairmont earlier this week, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office said.

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FAIRMONT, N.C. — Four Lumberton residents were arrested Wednesday in the deaths of two people whose bodies were found in a field south of Fairmont earlier this week, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said.

The arrests were made after lawmen executed search warrants at three residences off N.C. 41 east of Lumberton, a Sheriff’s Office news release said.

Patrick Leon Gatlin, 31, Juwon Montael Lewis, 24, Tiffany Leann Smith, 22, and Anitriel Livia Ray, 37, are charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy.

Gatlin also is charged with possession of firearm by a felon.

Gatlin, Lewis and Smith live in the Eaglewood Mobile Home Park off N.C. 41, while Ray lives about a quarter mile away on the 7600 block of N.C. 41.

Lewis and Smith live at the same residence on Alicia Drive, and Gatlin lives on Eaglewood Loop.

The four are accused of killing Angela Nicole Smith, 33, and Matthew Steven McCray, 31, both of Lumberton, the release said.

Their bodies were found about 3:10 p.m. Tuesday on the 1200 block of Collins Mill Road, south of Fairmont.

The bodies were found someone who was walking on the road and spotted them in the field, lying side by side, covered with weeds.

The bodies appear to have been there several days, the release said. They have been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh for autopsies.

About 80 law enforcement officers from federal, state, Robeson County and Lumberton took part in the searches, which happened about 2:15 p.m., the release said.

Sheriff Kenneth Sealey declined to comment about a motive for the shootings, citing the onging investigation.

Gatlin, Lewis, Smith and Ray are being held without bail in the Robeson County Detention Center.

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