Man charged with murder after grandparents found dead in home on New Year’s Eve

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN/Gray News) - North Carolina authorities say a couple is dead and their grandson has been charged with murder.

Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance said deputies were called to a home on Deborah Court just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

According to Dance, Rayfield Ruffin, 73, and his wife, Frances Ruffin, 67, were found dead inside the house upon deputies’ arrival.

The couple’s grandson, identified as 34-year-old Martinez Ruffin, was arrested in connection with their death.

Dance said Martinez Ruffin has been charged with two open counts of murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.

Martinez Ruffin’s grandparents suffered blunt force trauma and knife wounds, the sheriff noted.

Deputies were called to the home after a family member called 911 about finding the bodies inside. They said the caller had left to go to the store and returned to find the victims.

Martinez Ruffin was taken into custody after being found nearby, walking along the road, Dance said.

The residence is the same place where a child was accidentally shot and killed last year.

On Oct. 8, 2024, deputies say a 6-year-old child accidentally shot and killed their brother, 5-year-old Karter Rosenboro, at the home.