Family ties lead authorities to three dead across Wake County

Over the course of a few hours on Monday and Tuesday, authorities found three people dead – Jimmy Small Jr., known as "Sandy," was 58. Patricia Small was 79. Jim Small was 80.

Evan Hunter Small, 27, son of Jimmy Small Jr. and grandson of Patricia and Jim Small, is charged in those deaths.

"The daughter started calling because she hadn’t talked to anybody in a few days, and that’s when they sent the police officers here to bust in the door to make a welfare check," said Keith Jaques, a longtime family friend.

Evan Small was arrested six times over the past year on charges of drug possession and driving while impaired. He was most recently charged with larceny on June 16, a little less than a month before the killings. 

"I think that the son was rebellious, and they got him out of jail to help him," Jaques said.

He said his friends of 30 years were known for their generous nature.

"They helped me more than once," he said. "Jim was well known around these parts. So was Sandy."

According to Jaques, "Sandy" Small bailed his son out on his most recent charge just days before his death.

"They’ve been going through some hard times with the son," Jaques said.

If convicted, Evan Small will face either life in prison or the death penalty.