Smithfield man charged with murder after wife found dead at industrial plant

A Smithfield man has been charged with first-degree murder after his wife was found dead in the parking lot of an industrial plant early Thursday morning, according to Smithfield Police.

Officers responded around 5 a.m. Thursday to 2121 Wal-Pat Road, where they found Lorena Capera Paz suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of AAF Flanders, an air filtration plant in Smithfield. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Detectives identified 39-year-old Jesus Bermudez as the suspect with the help of witnesses at the scene.

He was arrested around 9 a.m. at his home on Galilee Road in Smithfield.

He is being held at the Johnston County Detention Center without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 4:16 PM.