Webster Stanley Jones, Catherine Knight Jones Obituary, Death Cause – Authorities in Greenville County are investigating the deaths of an elderly couple after deputies discovered their bodies outside their home early Wednesday morning. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the case is being treated as a violent death investigation.
Deputies responded shortly after 8 a.m. to a residence on North Wingate Road following a 911 hang-up call. When officers arrived at the property, they found an elderly husband and wife lying in the front yard. Both had sustained what investigators believe to be at least one gunshot wound. A firearm was also recovered at the scene.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office later identified the victims as 84-year-old Webster Stanley Jones and his wife, Catherine Knight Jones. Autopsies are scheduled for Thursday to help determine the exact cause and manner of death.
While authorities are still piecing together the details, officials said the incident appears to be isolated and reassured residents that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators have not yet shared whether they believe one of the victims may have fired the weapon, or if other factors could have been involved. The sheriff’s office noted that the manner of death remains under active investigation.
The discovery shocked the normally quiet neighborhood, where residents described the Joneses as familiar and friendly faces. Neighbors told FOX Carolina News that the community is usually calm and tight-knit. Donnie Poole, a local resident, reflected on how ordinary mornings often included waves and greetings between neighbors. “We always wave at each other every morning,” Poole said. “That’s why I said it’s quiet… friendly. We just throw up our hand at each other. Some of them blow the horn, I turn my head and I know who it is.”
Such sentiments highlight the disbelief among residents that such violence could strike in their neighborhood. Many expressed grief and sadness at the loss of two longtime members of their community.
The sheriff’s office and coroner’s office are continuing their joint investigation, which includes collecting forensic evidence, interviewing neighbors, and reviewing the couple’s history to better understand the circumstances that led to their deaths. The recovery of the firearm is expected to play a key role in determining whether the incident could have been a murder-suicide or if other factors are at play.
Officials stressed the importance of allowing time for the investigation to proceed carefully and thoroughly. Autopsy results, once complete, should provide additional clarity about the sequence of events.
For now, the community is left mourning the tragic loss of Webster and Catherine Jones, while authorities work to uncover the truth behind their sudden and violent deaths. Neighbors and friends described the couple as approachable and kind, making their passing even more difficult to accept.
As investigators continue their work, residents remain stunned that such a heartbreaking event occurred in a neighborhood they have long considered safe and peaceful.
