SBI investigating deaths of Fayetteville police officer and wife as a murder-suicide

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating the deaths of a Fayetteville police officer and his wife as a murder-suicide.

The autopsy reports were released Wednesday, days after officers found the bodies of Officer Domingo Tavarez-Rodriguez and his wife, Yenitza Arroyo Torres, at their home on Vandenberg Drive on April 28.

According to the preliminary autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office, Arroyo Tavarez died due to multiple gunshot wounds and Tavarez-Rodriguez died from a single gunshot wound.

Based on the preliminary investigation and the medical examiner’s preliminary findings, there is no reason to believe anyone else was involved.

The SBI also said there is no reason to believe there is a threat to the community.

Several neighbors were in shock Saturday afternoon after learning of the murder-suicide.

After Tavarez-Rodriguez failed to report for duty, officers went to his home to check on him. He was supposed to work at 6 p.m.

In a Friday night press conference, Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden said both were found with apparent gunshot wounds.

Dennis Corbin, a neighbor of the couple, said he and the officer were like brothers. He said Tavarez-Rodriguez his wife moved into the neighborhood about five years ago.

Corbin said he gave  Tavarez-Rodriguez the nickname Mingo and the two had become pretty close over the last couple of years.

"While I'm gonna go home, Mingo is not gonna be there. He is not going to come out of the house sometime later on today or tomorrow," said Corbin. "I am not gonna see him waving when he is driving out to work or coming back in."

While showing a picture to WRAL, Corbin said he is shocked that something like this happened.

Corbin said the officer had PTSD from his time serving in the military.

Braden said, since Tavarez-Rodriguez was an active police officer, the SBI was requested and this incident will be a criminal investigation. Tavarez-Rodriguez has been with the Fayetteville Police Department since June 2021.

So far, police have not said whether or not they are actively looking for a suspect. Investigators said there is no threat to public safety.

No further information was provided.