Local News

Cary man convicted in wife's second-degree murder dies by suicide

A Cary man convicted of killing his wife in 2019 killed himself in the Alexander Correctional Institution where he was serving his sentence, according to authorities.

Posted 2024-03-25T15:51:20+00:00 - Updated 2024-03-25T17:37:21+00:00

The scene of police activity in Cary as rescue workers arrive at the scene.

A man convicted in the second-degree murder of his wife has died by apparent suicide in his jail cell, according to the state.

In September 2021, Michael Sauls admitted to shooting his ex-wife in the backyard of their home at 2201 Piney Plains Road, near the Crossroads Plaza shopping center in Cary, in October 2019.

According to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Sauls was found unresponsive in his cell around 3 p.m. Sunday. Prison medical staff and EMS performed life-saving procedures, but Sauls was pronounced dead at 3:20 p.m.

An investigation is underway.

Sauls, now 64, was convicted in December 2021 of second-degree murder in Wake County and sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison. His projected release date was in 2040.

In 2021, the couple's son told police that the couple had divorced but was still living together.

According to a search warrant, the son told police that his father talked with him the night before and expressed concern about Patsy Sauls' health, "due to what Michael believed to be her involvement with another man."

If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.