Godwin man sought for questioning in shooting death of married couple last August
Editor's note: The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office announced April 17, 2024, that Coats was no longer being sought.
A Godwin man is being sought for questioning in the deaths last summer of a married couple in Wade, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Kenneth Eldridge Coats, 49, of Godwin, is wanted for questioning in the Aug. 5 deaths of Brian and Jennifer Vann, 48, in the 5600 block of Sambo Jackson Road in Wade, the release said.
The deaths were originally reported as overdoses, but the Sheriff's Office said both had been shot.
A man who identified himself as Brian Vann's uncle was the person who called 911 after his great-niece found the bodies.
"My nephew's daughter went in the house and told her grandmother that her mama and daddy were dead," the caller said.
According to the uncle, Jennifer Vann was found outside a barn and her husband was found inside the barn sitting in a chair.
Related: Married couple identified as the victims of Saturday's fatal shooting in Wade
The couple married in 2014, according to Cumberland County marriage records.
This is the second person sought for questioning in the killing. Three weeks after the couple was found slain, the Sheriff's Office announced they were looking to speak with another man. Three days later the department said that person was no longer being sought.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Detective Sergeant R. Brinkley at 910-677-5463. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477); by visiting the website at http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org; or by download the free "P3 Tips" app for mobile devices.
Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Coats sought for questioning in homicide of Brian and Jennifer Vann
