Search warrant doesn’t indicate a motive in murder-suicide of Johnston County teens

Investigators recovered a rifle, cellphones, a book bag and a “green leafy substance” near the bodies of two 14-year-olds who were found dead in the living room of a Johnston County home on Monday night, according to a search warrant.

The 16-page search warrant filed with the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court did not indicate a possible motive in what investigators have said was a murder-suicide. Matthew Sernio Decristo and Sara Elaine Hill were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in Decristo’s family home on Clayton Road in Angier.

Hill’s family has started a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise $5,000 to help pay for funeral expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, nearly 30 people had contributed almost $2,000. 

Hill celebrated her 14th birthday on May 25, according to the online fundraiser. 

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home just before 5:30 p.m., the search warrant says. They found a discharged rifle shell on the sofa, where Hill’s body was found.

Deputies found Decristo’s body on the living room floor, with several unspent cartridges nearby, according to the search warrant.

The warrant does not indicate where the rifle was found.

Investigators also recovered fired cartridge cases, a piece of drywall and a fired projectile from the home during their search for evidence, the search warrant says.

Capt. Jeff Caldwell with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said this week that Decristo’s father first discovered the teens’ bodies. The fathers of both children called 911.

“What happened?” the dispatcher asked Hill’s father.

“I don’t know,” he said, sobbing. “My daughter. My daughter’s been shot.”

Decristo was a freshman at West Johnston High School. Hill was homeschooled, Caldwell said.

This story was originally published September 27, 2018 at 11:52 AM.