Mishael James MJ Auman, 37, a firefighter from Seagrove who served with Seagrove and Ulah volunteer departments and worked for the City of Asheboro, died of a gunshot wound on June 25, 2022. He was found at his Ridge Road home and taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The death was initially thought to be a suicide but was later classified as a homicide by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities arrested his wife, Heather Hicks Auman, 37, at their home on June 29, 2022. Detectives say the gun used belonged to Heather, no gunshot residue was found on MJ’s body, and MJ still had his own gun on his waistband when found. Heather was held without bond before being granted a $1 million bond and released to house arrest with electronic monitoring; her attorney says she will plead not guilty. The Assistant District Attorney noted marital problems and alleged infidelity as potential motive-related factors. The state is treating the case as non-capital and the matter is headed for trial.

Did anyone in the Seagrove or Asheboro fire service community notice anything out of the ordinary in the weeks before June 25, 2022?