Julie Rowland Bowling, 45, was found dead in her garage in Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina, on December 8, 2006. Co-workers who became concerned when she failed to report to work went to her home and discovered her body; an autopsy showed multiple bullet wounds to the abdomen from a small-caliber handgun. There were no signs of forced entry, suggesting the killer had access to the residence.

Investigators learned Julie co-owned Bowling’s Funeral Homes with her husband, Mark Bowling, who was reportedly on a scuba trip in Florida the day of the murder. Police uncovered evidence that Mark had multiple extramarital affairs, including one with 27-year-old Rose Deloris Vincent of Middlesex. During interrogation, Rose reportedly confessed to shooting Julie in the garage and said Mark provided a map and details to carry out the killing. Both Mark Bowling and Rose Vincent were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.