17-year-old accused of killing 2 Gaston County cousins
Police on Friday charged a 17-year-old with first-degree murder in the deaths of two Gaston County cousins.
Family members discovered the bodies of Derreck Monique Brice, 33, and Lashea Jeanine Coleman, 26, shortly after midnight Friday. Bruce and Coleman were killed in their home in the 200 block of Salemview Road, off U.S. 321 near South Carolina.
Gaston County Police charged Jose Adan Lopez Rios of Gastonia with two counts of first-degree murder. Police said Rios was an acquaintance of Brice.
Family members told police they went to the home because they had been unable to reach Brice and Coleman by phone. Police have not said how they believe Brice and Coleman died or where they arrested Rios.
Coleman had cerebral palsy, and Brice took care of her and her child, family members told the Gaston Gazette newspaper.
Joe Marusak: 704-358-5067, @jmarusak
This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 6:54 AM with the headline "17-year-old accused of killing 2 Gaston County cousins."