Call on New Year’s Eve
Deputies went to a home on Deborah Court at 9:24 a.m.
The call came on December 31, 2025, after a 911 report.
A family member said they left for a store.
Then they returned and found two people dead.
Victims identified
The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office named the victims on scene.
They were Rayfield Ruffin, 73, and France Ruffin, 67.
Sheriff Paula Dance said both had blunt force injuries.
She also said both had knife wounds.
Arrest and charges
Authorities arrested Martinez Ruffin, 34, after the call.
Dance said he was the couple’s grandson and lived there.
He faces two counts of murder.
He also faces two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
The sheriff said deputies found him nearby.
A press release said he walked along the roadside near home.
Daughter’s tribute
Their daughter, Meke Jones, posted on Facebook after the deaths.
On January 2, 2026, she wrote:
“My heart of gold Mommy and my Daddy that took care of her every single need. Married each other on March 14th 1977. Died together December 31st 2025. […] How many times can a heart break and still beat Rayfield Ruffin and France Ruffin together forever [sic]💔💔,”
Earlier tragedy
Officials said the same home saw another death in 2024.
On October 8, 2024, a 6-year-old accidentally shot his brother.
The boy killed 5-year-old Karter Rosenboro, WITN reported.
Later, Rayfield Ruffin was charged over unsafe gun storage.
A GoFundMe raised $7,885 of a $10,000 goal.
Duchess Ruffin Chance set it up, and Niasia Knight received donations.