We're learning more about the final hours of a North Carolina family who died in a horrific murder-suicide.
Davie County Sheriff JD Hartman said investigators believe 26-year-old Aschod Ewing-Meeks shot and killed his girlfriend, 26-year-old Ashton Brown. He then killed their two children, 8-month-old Brixtyn and 4-year-old Bella, before setting their home ablaze and turning the gun on himself.
Sheriff Hartman shared that it was one of the most horrifying things he's ever seen. "I've seen a lot in 30 years but children, and especially children that are killed by gunshots and burned, is pretty heinous," he said in a press conference.
"All four victims are deceased from gunshot wounds, the fire was intentionally set and Mr. Meeks was deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and we found the gun that matches all this actually still in Mr. Meeks' hand."
The sheriff also broke down the timeline of events leading up to the tragic incident. Just after noon on April 18, Ewing-Meeks, Brown, and the children visited the Davie County Sheriff's Office. Security footage shows them speaking with the receptionist. The receptionist later said the family was vague about their reason for wanting to speak with a deputy.
The receptionist supplied them with a phone number to call, but at 12:35 p.m. Brown called 911 on their behalf and spoke with someone. She said she had safety concerns but did not further specify. A deputy called Brown back about 10 minutes later, and she passed the phone to Ewing-Meeks.
The call ended after about 30 seconds, but it's unclear how. The deputy called back, with this call lasting 55 seconds. He called back again, this time lasting for 2 minutes. The deputy called back at 12:54 p.m. for a 6-minute phone call, during which he urged them to come in or meet him somewhere.
The deputy called back at 1:06 p.m., but the call went to voicemail. He tried again and was unable to get through. Authorities did not speak with either member of the couple again.
At 2 p.m., neighbors saw the couple arguing outside their Junction Road home. They took the argument inside. Just minutes later, someone driving down the street saw smoke coming out of the house and reported the fire. The Cooleemee Fire Department received the call at 2:14 p.m. and arrived at the scene 3 minutes later.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, they discovered the bodies. Brown and baby Brixtyn were found shot in the kitchen. Bella was found shot in the bedroom doorway. Aschod Ewing-Meeks was found at the end of the hallway, gun still in hand.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help assist the family with the cost of funeral services for Ashton, Bella, and Brixtyn.
"Ashton and her babies were well-loved throughout Davie County. Her role as an early childhood educator allowed her to shine her light & love on several families in the community," the page reads.
"She loved her students and went the extra mile to make sure they were cared for as her own. Ashton lived to be the best mother she could be for her two children, Bella and Brixytn. We are saddened by this sudden tragedy and wish to honor and remember them as such."
