Couple found dead in murder-suicide at Newton newspaper office, police say

NEWTON, N.C. — A couple who had been reported missing was found shot to death inside a Newton business on Friday night, police said. On Tuesday, police said the case is being classified as a murder-suicide.

Officers with the Newton Police Department and deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls Friday about the two missing people, 55-year-old Cindy Hull and 58-year-old Larry Brigham.

Authorities were following up on leads around 11 p.m. when they found their cars parked outside The Observer News Enterprise on North College Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets.

Inside the business, police said they found Hull and Brigham dead with gunshot wounds. The said the murder-suicide is also considered a domestic violence-related case.

According to law enforcement, Hull and Brigham were in a relationship.

“Domestic violence is a serious matter and needs to be addressed immediately,” Newton police chief Vidal Sipe said in a statement. “If you are in a mentally and/or physically abusive relationship, call 911 in emergency situations, 828-465-7430 for any other help or contact the Family Guidance Center @ 828-322-1400 (Crisis @ 828-228-1787) for counseling and mental health assistance.”

This is an ongoing investigation between the Newton Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430 or the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-465-8340.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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