Jimmy Lee Whitford, 51, of Ernul, North Carolina, died on December 30, 2017, after being shot during a domestic dispute with his wife, Sharon Whitford. Sharon told investigators that Jimmy attacked her during an argument and she retrieved a rifle and shot him; Jimmy later died at a local hospital.

Investigators later reported inconsistencies in Sharon Whitford’s statements. Search warrants executed at the couple’s home, outbuildings and vehicles turned up multiple firearms. The inquiry also uncovered that Sharon had been involved in an extramarital affair and that she had asked about adding an insurance policy for Jimmy. A third party who admitted to the affair experienced problems with his phone’s SIM card the day after the shooting, resulting in loss of most text messages sent and received on the day of the incident.

A special prosecutor was assigned because of potential conflicts related to local officials connected to the family. Sharon Whitford was charged with second-degree murder. Does anyone have information about the events leading up to December 30, 2017, or remember seeing Jimmy or Sharon in Ernul at that time?