Two people arrested after the mayor of Leggett, NC, wife found dead, the cops say

Edgecombe County sheriff, Cleveland Atkinson, announced Friday that Keith Earl Williams, 25, who lived in the area and had a criminal background, was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

(Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office)

Police have made at least two arrests during the murder of the mayor of a small town in North Carolina and his wife, authorities said Friday.

Leggett Mayor Gary Skelton and his wife, Jackie, were found dead at their home on Thursday afternoon. The police went home after receiving a call saying that Jackie Skelton, a nurse, had not come to work, the police said.

"It makes me sick and they were the incarnation of good people, they were incredibly good," city commissioner Teresa Summerlin told WRAL.

Edgecombe County sheriff, Cleveland Atkinson, announced Friday that Keith Earl Williams, 25, who lived in the area and had a criminal background, was arrested and charged with first degree murder. A second, unidentified man was also arrested.

The couple died from gunshot wounds, according to the Associated Press.

Mr. Williams was recently released from prison for possession of a firearm by a criminal and assault with a deadly weapon.

Leggett is a rural town of about 60 residents located about 70 miles east of Raleigh.

"It's been a bit annoying for me – it's a pretty quiet place we live in," said Sherry Kenney, the neighbor, at local station CBS17.

According to the observer, the couple left Georgia 20 years ago and has recently returned from visiting their children and grandchildren in Georgia. Gary Skelton was a banker until his retirement, the newspaper said.

The deaths occur two months after the death of a former mayor of another city, Fremont, Nc. Investigators ruled that the death was a homicide, according to WRAL. Former Mayor Andy Evans died of gunshot wounds in June.