NC teen charged as adult in murder of 3 family members in Buncombe County

A 16-year-old North Carolina girl and a 28-year-old man are facing murder charges after three of the girl’s family members were found shot to death in their home, authorities announced at a news conference Friday.

Star Grant, 16, and Devon O’Neil Loving, 28, are each charged with three counts of first-degree murder and felony conspiracy to commit murder, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

Due to the seriousness of the crimes, Grant is being charged as an adult. As Class A felonies, the charges could potentially carry life imprisonment or the death penalty in the state of North Carolina.

THE YOUNG SUSPECT IN THE FAMILY MASSACRE BY THE LAKE TOUCHED THEIR BODY TO CHECK IF THEY WERE STILL ALIVE: THE BROTHER IS ALIVE

The gruesome discovery was revealed Thursday evening around 7:15 p.m., when Buncombe County deputies responded to a welfare check at a home on Ashworth Drive in Fairview.

Authorities said the check was requested by a relative after friends and family had not heard from the victims.

While deputies conducted two preliminary health checks earlier in the week, one on Monday and the other on Wednesday, authorities said they did not have the necessary evidence of an emergency to legally force entry into the home until the third visit.

The couple was arrested in Tennessee after allegedly fleeing North Carolina, authorities said. (WHNS)

ADOPTED DAUGHTER OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF A WOMAN WHO WAS SLAUGHTERED IN A RENTED PLACE IN UTAH

After entering the home, deputies found the bodies of 41-year-old Travis Eugene Grant, 42-year-old Kimberly Michelle Grant, and 66-year-old Sharon Harwood Grant, who died from gunshot wounds.

Officials confirmed that Star Grant is the daughter of Travis and Kimberly Grant and the granddaughter of Sharon Grant.

Investigators quickly realized the 16-year-old was missing, and through a coordinated effort with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Gatlinburg Police Department, authorities tracked Grant and Loving across state lines.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation, according to officials. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)

THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED AFTER THE MOTHER, THE PREGNANT YOUNG AND THE 12-YEAR-OLD CHILD WERE FOUND TIED AND KILLED.

The two, whose relationship has not yet been disclosed, were arrested shortly before 6 a.m. Friday morning at a hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Grant and Loving, both Buncombe County residents, are currently being held in Tennessee.

They are expected to face an extradition hearing Monday before being extradited back to North Carolina to face charges.

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No motive had been released as of Friday afternoon.

Authorities state that there is no threat to the public.

This is an evolving story. Please check back for updates.