A Cary woman was killed Monday in what authorities have called a murder-suicide in Wilmington.

Valerie Kelly, 53, was shot four times by her stepfather, Eduard Nagel, 85, who then fatally shot himself at his house in Wilmington, said investigators with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. Kelly, who was a spiritual healer and massage therapist in the Triangle area for more than 30 years, was visiting family when the shooting occurred.

Kelly’s mother, Eris Nagel, called 911 to report the shooting. Kelly and Nagel had died by the time New Hanover deputies arrived at the house.

Kelly was in town to take her mother to the doctor, said Kelly’s daughter, Gabriel Smith of Wilmington. Kelly grew up around Wilmington, and many of her family members live there.

Nobody in the family knows what led to the shooting, said Kelly’s brother, Clayton Hurd of Wilmington. Hurd said his sister had been taking care of their mother, and Nagel might have been jealous.

“(Nagel) was a nice man until this happened,” Hurd said. “He was old, and I think he lost his mind.”

Kelly had her own bodywork and massage-therapy business and was known as one of the best in the Triangle area, Smith said.

Hurd added that Kelly often gave massages to her family members, and she was considered family by many of her clients.

“There were a lot of people who used her for her special talent,” Hurd said. “It wasn’t time for her to die.”

Kelly is survived by her daughter, mother, brother and sister.

A service to celebrate her life will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel. The family has requested that attendees wear bright colors.

Carroll: 919-829-4918