Wake Forest woman's death a Mother's Day mystery

Police found Jo Dean Timberlake dead of a gunshot wound inside her home at 812 Durham Road around 5 p.m. Sunday. Her son, Ricky Arlen Timberlake, 63, was in the home and was unresponsive, police said. He was taken to WakeMed, where he was in fair condition Tuesday.

Authorities have not released more details, but said they are not looking for a suspect and want to assure residents that the situation does not present a danger to the public.

Neighbors said that Ricky Timberlake lived with and took care of his mother. She was in failing health, was diabetic and had fallen a couple times, they said.

"It was just stunning, shocking, until I realized what this could be and then it got to be really emotional," said neighbor Biven Andersen. 

Andersen said Jo Timberlake meant the world to her son, and that they never argued. "He was so compassionate about his mother. He was very passionate," she added.

Andersen's husband, Dick, said Ricky Timberlake had vowed to care for his mother for the res of her life.

"I can't imagine anybody being overburdened like a caretaker is, and he was her only one," Biven Andersen said.

The Andersens said that a note left on the door told people not to come in and to call 911 instead. Notes were also left in the house, but neighbors didn't know what they said.