On October 27, shortly after 6 p.m., deputies responded to a home at 1696 Cope Road in Raeford, Hoke County, following what was first reported as a medical emergency. When officers entered the house, they found Joann Nicole Chavis, 46, and Matthew “Ted” Chavis, 53—both of Red Springs—lying unresponsive. Investigators would later confirm that both had suffered multiple stab wounds in what quickly became a chilling double homicide.
Authorities soon turned their attention to one promising—and heartbreaking—line of inquiry: the couple’s 17-year-old foster child, identified only by initials D.P., emerged as the prime suspect. Evidence gathered at the crime scene led detectives to believe the teen was responsible for the killings.
Almost immediately, the investigation expanded beyond Hoke County’s borders. Teams from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, and local law enforcement in neighboring jurisdictions joined efforts to piece together the teen’s last known movements.
Late that night, in Columbus County near Lake Waccamaw, officers discovered the teen’s car parked near the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina campus. The vehicle stood empty, prompting a campus lockdown as search crews combed through facilities, buildings, and grounds.
In an unoccupied section of the campus, law enforcement located D.P. in distress. When approached, the 17-year-old is believed to have taken his own life, reportedly by self-inflicted gunshot wound. First responders attempted aid, and the teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The SBI is leading the probe into that death, seeking clarity about what unfolded in those final moments.
Despite the intense scrutiny, officials have not released a motive, nor have they clarified what, if anything, led up to the tragedy. The investigation remains active, and authorities are pleading for any witness tips or pertinent information—no matter how small—to be shared. Detective D. Austin of Hoke County is overseeing the case and can be reached at (910) 875-5111.
Sheriff Roderick Virgil expressed deep sorrow over the event, extending condolences to the Chavis family and emphasizing the community’s need to rely on mutual support. In the wake of the killings and subsequent suicide, neighbors, congregations, and local organizations have rallied to mourn. Officials have pledged transparency and diligence, vowing to unearth the full story and honor the memory of those lost.
