MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. — One man and one woman were both found in a burning Mecklenburg County home early Wednesday morning, according to the Mecklenburg Sheriff's Office.
The home, located on Kinsey Talley Road, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at about 2:30 a.m.
The Medical Examiner's Office will determine the identity of the deceased and how they died.
In neighboring Brunswick County, the Brunswick Sheriff's Office was called to investigate a suicide at about 2:08 a.m.
"The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that someone had shot themselves outside the residence in the 7100 block of Western Mill Road, in Lawrenceville, Virginia," Brunswick County Sheriff’s Captain Joey Lopresti wrote in an email about the incident. "Brunswick County deputies, along with emergency medical services, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Deputies arrived at the scene and located Dexter J. Cleaton, 37, of Lawrenceville deceased in a vehicle from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Investigators responded to process the scene and recover any related evidence."
Sheriff's deputies in the county say the suicide is connected to the deaths in Mecklenburg County. Sources tell CBS 6 that police made that connection after a cryptic social media post from Cleaton.
Sources also say that a text he sent to his mother alerted authorities in neighboring Mecklenburg County.
"It did a number on my heart when I saw it this morning because on my way out I knew something tragic had happened because all the deputies were there," said a minister who lives down the road from the fire.
Hours after the fire that killed two, the home involved in the fire continues to smolder. Its cinder block foundation along with charred debris is all that remains.
"Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1 through 5," the minister said. She says she is finding comfort in the Word with the tragedy nearly at her doorstep.
"God has a purpose for everything - for you, myself, everyone. We didn't come to this world to stay - we are sojourners who are passing through this land and how we leave is not up to us. It's up to God, for whatever reason God has," she said.
This is a developing story. If you have more information email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
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