Elderly Couple Found Dead in Their Home — a Year after Another Murder in the Same House

"My heart is broken into two zillion pieces and will never be whole again," a grieving daughter lamented.

Before sunrise on New Year's Eve, flashing blue lights and crime scene tape turned a normally quiet Pitt County street into the focus of a police investigation.

Deputies gathered around a home on Deborah Court as news spread that two people were found dead inside. This led to hours of uncertainty about what happened and who was involved.

By midmorning, officials said the deaths were being investigated as a double homicide, but they shared few details at first. Neighbors watched as investigators came and went, and Sheriff Paula Dance arrived, underscoring the seriousness of the case.

Later, what authorities revealed shocked many, not just because of who was killed, but also because of the home's history.

What Deputies Found

The Pitt County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to the Deborah Court home around 9:24 a.m. on December 31, 2025, after a family member called 911. The person had reportedly been at the house earlier, left to go to a store, and came back to find the victims.

Investigators soon identified the victims as Rayfield Ruffin, 73, and his wife, France Ruffin, 67. Both were declared dead at the scene. Sheriff Paula Dance said the couple had both blunt force injuries and knife wounds, and deputies quickly made an arrest.

After learning how serious the injuries were, investigators quickly focused on a suspect who was close to the victims.

Who Is Charged

According to reports, authorities arrested Martinez Ruffin, 34, who the sheriff said was the couple's grandson. Martinez lived at the home and was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, causing serious injury, according to the sheriff.

The sheriff said deputies located Martinez in the area after the 911 call. A subsequent press release stated he was found walking along the roadside near the home. Investigators have not released a motive, and the case remains under active investigation.

Family Grief After the Latest Loss

After Rayfield and France died, their daughter, Meke Jones, posted emotional tributes on Facebook. In a post on December 31, 2025, she reflected on her parents' long marriage and the pain of losing them both at the same time.

"My heart of gold Mommy and my Daddy that took care of her every single need. Married each other on March 14th 1977. Died together December 31st 2025. […] How many times can a heart break and still beat Rayfield Ruffin and France Ruffin together forever [sic]💔💔," she wrote in a January 2, 2026, post.

As the investigation continued, people began to focus not just on the family’s loss but also on the house itself.

Why the Home Drew Wider Attention

As more details came out, officials confirmed the house was the same one involved in another tragedy just a year before. This made the grief around the case even deeper.

On October 8, 2024, deputies said a 6-year-old accidentally shot and killed his younger brother, 5-year-old Karter Rosenboro, in the same Deborah Court home. WITN reported that Karter was shot on a Tuesday night when his brother got hold of a gun.

A few days later, Rayfield Ruffin, Karter's great-grandfather, was charged with not storing the gun safely to protect children. Court documents said Rayfield lived at the home at the time. Pitt County Schools confirmed that Karter was a kindergarten student at Northwest Elementary School. After his death, crisis response teams were available to help students and staff.

Remembering Karter

After the 2024 shooting, family members started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the funeral and memorial costs. The fundraiser, set up by Duchess Ruffin Chance, raised $7,885 out of its $10,000 goal.

"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Karter River Rosenboro. Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin tragically lost his life to an accidental shooting. Karter was a happy 5-year-old with a bright smile and loved by so many. The family is going through unimaginable pain and heartbreak," the campaign stated.

It added, "This unexpected time is a financial strain for our family. We are grateful for any amount given; this money will go towards Karter's memorial. If you are unable to donate, please share. Thank you!"

The fundraiser noted that Karter's mother would receive all donations. "Karter's mother, Niasia Knight, will be receiving all donations. I am Niasia aunt and Karter's great aunt. I have permission from Niasia to set up this account [sic]," the organizer concluded.

She posted an update on October 30, 2024, saying that Karter's celebration of life took place on October 18, 2024.

As investigators keep working on the case, authorities have not set a court date or shared more details about what led to the killings.

For now, the quiet home on Deborah Court is at the center of two tragedies: one was the accidental death of a child, and the other ended the lives of an elderly couple. Although these tragedies happened a year apart, they are forever connected by the same address.