Donald Roy Rutkowski Sr., 66, was found dead at his home on Islandview Drive near Walkabout Road in Hope Mills, North Carolina, on December 29, 2024. A wellness check around 10:30 a.m. led to the discovery; the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the death was classified as a homicide.

Hope Mills Police identified the victim’s wife, 61-year-old Tammy Lynn Rutkowski, as the primary suspect and arrested her on a charge of first-degree murder. She was reportedly being held without bond. No motive has been made public and the investigation is ongoing.

Rutkowski was born January 1, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He had worked as a regional supervisor in sanitation services and is survived by his daughter Sonya Wolfe; adopted sons William Billy Helmick and Frankie Helmick; several siblings; and two granddaughters. If anyone knew Donald or has information about what happened that day, please come forward.