WILKES COUNTY, N.C. — A man accused of murdering two people found dead in a home on Friday morning was arrested in North Wilkesboro.
Deputies believe Jason Ryan Pardue, 33, of Wilkes County, is responsible for the deaths of 33-year-old Kelly Marie Pruitt and her 8-year-old son, Kevin Michael Hurley.
Deputies said the victims were reported missing on Thursday after they had not been seen in about six days. They said the victims were found after a search warrant was served at the suspect and victims’ home at 2642 Statesville Road at Brinegar’s Trailer Park in North Wilkesboro.
Authorities on the scene of a double homicide Friday morning in Wilkes County. Jason Ryan Pardue, 33, of Wilkes County, was arrested in the deaths of 33-year-old Kelly Marie Pruitt and her 8-year-old son, Kevin Michael Hurley. (Brandon Jones/WGHP)
Both victims were found dead at the home, deputies said. The mother’s apparent cause of death was the result of multiple stab wounds and her son’s death appears to be the result of suffocation, deputies said. An exact cause of death will be determined by autopsy.
Authorities said the victim was the suspect’s girlfriend. Her son was not the suspect’s son.
Deputies said warrants were issued on Pardue for two counts of murder, two counts of first-degree sex offense with a minor under 13 and one count of incest.
Officials said police in Wilkesboro arrested Pardue around 2:30 p.m. Friday near the Little Market Basket convenience store after somebody called reporting a man matching his description.
Deputies said the suspect “has an extensive criminal history and should be considered extremely dangerous.”
