Mary Lou Black, 86, and her husband D.P. Black, 91, were found shot to death in their Aberdeen, North Carolina, home on Roseland Road during a welfare check on July 9, 2021. The couple were well known in the community; D.P. Black was a successful businessman and property owner, and Mary Lou Black was noted for her generosity and devotion to her church.

Investigators reported that jewelry and several other items appeared to have been taken, and robbery was described as the likely motive. Tony Chad Patterson, a former employee of D.P. Black, and Tim Cooper were arrested and charged with two counts of murder and additional robbery charges; Patterson was arrested July 13, 2021, and Cooper was arrested July 14, 2021. Both were held without bond while the Moore County Sheriff’s Office said they were confident the suspects were in custody.

The deaths left the community grieving and the family seeking closure. If anyone knew the Blacks, their routines, or observed unusual activity around the Roseland Road home in early July 2021, please come forward with information.