ELLERBE, N.C. — Police are investigating a triple homicide Sunday afternoon in Ellerbe, North Carolina.
Police say Gloria Durham, 60, and her two children, Samuel Durham, 42 and Latasha Durham, 38, were killed.
In Richmond Co. after a triple murder; spoke with victim's family who said this was domestic violence @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/zMC8FY7Q71
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) February 12, 2017
The suspect, Steve Smith, was charged with three counts of murder, breaking and entering and lying to law enforcement.
(Steve Williams Smith)
Family members told Channel 9 that Durham and Smith had a tumultuous relationship that spanned nearly 20 years. They said she tried to leave him but he wouldn't let her go.
"If you dont' want somebody or they don't want you, let it be, go on your merry way. Don't take a life," one family member said.
Three young children were home but they were not harmed.
The victims' family told me 8-month old, 4 and 10 year old were all inside when three people killed in Richmond Co. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/vgWcj8ATvY
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) February 13, 2017
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Cox Media Group