Raleigh couple had tumultuous relationship before fatal shooting

Wendy Sue Wishart, 41, was charged with the murder in the death of 45-year-old Sean Michael Wishart. She was being held without bond Thursday in the Wake County jail.

Police responded to a reported shooting shortly after 9 p.m. in the 10000 block of Lynnberry Place, in the Brier Creek neighborhood. Officers found Sean Wishart wounded in a townhouse there, and he died at a nearby hospital, police said.

Wendy Wishart called 911 to report the shooting, telling an operator in a soft, calm voice that she had shot her ex-husband in the chest and had left the gun on a nearby table. She then complied with the operator's instructions to walk outside and wait for police with her hands up.

According to court documents, Wendy Wishart twice sought domestic violence protection orders in March, alleging that he was stalking her and was putting their four children at risk. She said in the filings that their marriage was marked by domestic violence, and he had threatened to kill her.

After a judge ruled that she didn't provide enough evidence to warrant a protective order, she dropped the efforts.

However, according to Courtney Archambo, Sean Wishart’s cousin, Sean harbored no ill will toward Wendy.

"I've never heard Sean say anything hateful about her," Archambo said. "He never wanted to say anything about wanting to hurt her, never a derogatory comment."