‘Why do you want to kill me?’ 911 call released in Johnston County murder-suicide
A 911 call released Monday reveals the final moments before a couple’s apparent murder-suicide at their Johnston County home Saturday night.
Teresa Adams-Pugh, 54, and Christopher Pugh, 53, were discovered dead inside their Chaney Drive residence, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Authorities were first alerted to trouble at the home when a brief 911 call came in at 6:44 p.m., according to a news release. The call disconnected before anyone spoke, a recording shows.
The operator called the number back. A male voice answered, and the operator asked if there was an emergency.
“No,” he responds.
A woman’s voice can be heard next, saying, “Why do you want to kill me? I need some help.”
The man says “no,” after which two short pops can be heard before the call disconnects.
The first deputy to arrive at the home reportedly heard a gunshot inside, according to the release.
“Communications called the residence back at which point a man answered the phone and stated he would come outside and speak with law enforcement,” the release states.
But the man didn’t come outside. Incident negotiators with the Sheriff’s Office tried to make contact but were unsuccessful, the release continues. After getting a search warrant, law enforcement entered the home and found Adams-Pugh and Pugh dead inside.
Pugh appears to have been a home builder, appearing in a city of Raleigh video from 2018 where he discussed partnering with the city to build affordable housing in southeast Raleigh. He said in the video he was a Southeast Raleigh native. A LinkedIn profile appearing to belong to Pugh states he started his own company in 2005.
An X profile appearing to belong to Adams Pugh described her as a lover of fashion and interior design.
The incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The deaths mark at least the fourth murder-suicide in the Triangle area in 2025.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with someone, dial 988. The lifeline can also be accessed through online chat and its website at 988lifeline.org.
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM.
