Jesse Weston Payne,Ralph L Payne Obituary, Death; – The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the identities of the two individuals who lost their lives in a murder-suicide incident on Tuesday, identifying them as a father and son.
As reported by the sheriff’s office, 34-year-old Jesse Weston Payne fatally shot his father, 61-year-old Ralph L. Payne, before turning the gun on his stepmother and subsequently taking his own life.
According to the sheriff’s office, Jesse Payne arrived at his father’s residence on Sylvan Street around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Shortly after his arrival, deputies indicate that he initiated a confrontation with both his father and stepmother, who was also present.
During this confrontation, Jesse Payne brandished a firearm and shot his father once. In an attempt to escape, the stepmother fled the home to seek assistance. Jesse Payne pursued her outside to a neighbor’s house, where he shot her once.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the injured woman, who guided them to the Sylvan Street address. Upon entering the residence, deputies discovered both Ralph and Jesse Payne deceased from single gunshot wounds.
Authorities noted that Jesse Payne was still in possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the time of their arrival. The stepmother has since received medical treatment and has been released from the hospital.
