On the evening of August 5, 2023, deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at a residence on Sambo Jackson Road in Wade, North Carolina, and found 48-year-old Brian Carter Vann Sr and his wife Jennifer Vann dead of gunshot wounds. The couple was pronounced dead at the scene and authorities immediately classified the incident as a double homicide.

Investigators sought to speak with several people during the inquiry. Eric Wayne Thompson of Erwin was briefly identified as someone authorities wanted to question before officials announced he was no longer a person of interest. In April 2024, Kenneth Eldridge Coats of Godwin was also sought for questioning and later cleared. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly identified.

The deaths left the couple’s young daughter without her parents. Detectives continue to ask anyone with information to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. If readers knew Brian or Jennifer, or were in the Wade area on August 5, 2023, can you help with any details that might aid the investigation?