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LINCOLNTON Authorities have determined a husband and wife found dead last week in their Lincolnton home were victims of a double homicide.
The bodies of Michael Vincent, 58, and Bonnie Vincent, 53, were discovered in their Broome Street residence by a friend.
At first, police didn’t rule out the possibility of a murder-suicide, but said later that the Vincents were murdered.
Because of the ongoing investigation, authorities aren’t releasing the cause of death. But Police Chief Rodney Jordan said on Tuesday that no firearm had been found in the residence. Also, there was no sign of forced entry and no indication of robbery.
“We don’t have a motive,” Jordan said. “We’re doing a lot of interviews and following every lead. But for now there’s nothing concrete.”
The State Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the investigation.
According to Jordan, the last time the couple was seen alive was two days before their bodies were discovered.
Neighbors described them as a happy couple who never argued or fought. They said Bonnie Vincent had organized the neighborhood community watch.
A woman who asked that her name not be used said the killings have left a cloud of uneasiness over the neighborhood.
“We’re all scared,” she said. “We stay in our houses. We don’t stay outside too long.”
The Rev. William Stanley, pastor of Massapoag Baptist Church near the Vincents’ house, said they were not members of the church, but had been attending on and off for about two years.
Stanley said the couple walked to the 11 a.m. service on Sunday and sat in the same place – about 12 rows from the back.
“They were quiet and reserved,” he said. “And they smiled all the time.”
Michael Vincent talked about wanting to change his life and join the church, Stanley recalled.
“I told him: ‘You have to be baptized. You got to be saved,’ ” he said. On June 24, Stanley said he baptized Vincent in an “old-fashioned baptizing” in Lake Norman.
“He was planning to join the church any Sunday,” Stanley said. “He just hadn’t got to it.”
