Durham shooting deaths ruled murder-suicide

Authorities on Monday identified two people whose bodies were found early Sunday in a Durham County house.

Posted 3:30 p.m. Oct 20, 2008 — Updated 4:45 p.m. Oct 20, 2008

DURHAM, N.C. — Authorities on Monday identified two people whose bodies were found early Sunday in a Durham County house.

The bodies of Pamela P. Turner, 61, of 5501 Bakers Mill Road, and Charles Martin, 60, of 982 Ivey Meadow Lane, both in Durham, were found Sunday morning inside Turner's home by her 20-year-old son, authorities said.

Both died from apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Based on evidence collected at the scene and from Martin's home, investigators with the Durham County Sheriff's Office ruled the case a murder-suicide. They said Martin killed Turner before turning the gun on himself.

Martin and Turner had a previous romantic relationship, authorities said.

Martin's son, who lives in Nashville, had alerted authorities that his father had e-mailed him a note the suggested Charles Martin intended to kill himself, authorities said.

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