The Rocky Mount, Virginia, community remains in shock after a heartbreaking incident on December 5, 2025, claimed the lives of two longtime residents in what authorities describe as a murder-suicide.
Franklin County deputies responded to a 911 call around 9:00 a.m. reporting an unresponsive person in a red Honda SUV parked along the 1400 block of Patti Road. Upon arrival, they discovered James Randolph Smith, 55, and Tina Marie (Brown) Spencer, 41, both suffering fatal gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
James Randolph Smith, a native of the Rocky Mount area, worked for over 25 years as a maintenance technician at a local manufacturing plant, where his reliability and steady demeanor earned him respect among colleagues. Born and raised in Franklin County, he graduated from Franklin County High School in 1988 before building a life centered on family and community involvement, including volunteering at annual county fairs.
Tina Marie Spencer, originally from nearby Henry County, pursued a career in administrative support at a regional healthcare clinic, where her organizational skills and compassionate approach assisted patients daily. A 2002 graduate of Patrick Henry Community College with an associate’s degree in office administration, she balanced her professional life with active participation in local church groups focused on youth mentorship.
The two victims were acquainted, though the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has withheld specifics about their relationship pending further investigation. Preliminary evidence strongly suggests a murder-suicide, with final determinations awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports from the Roanoke Medical Examiner’s Office. No other individuals are believed to be involved, and the scene was secured without threat to the public.
Neighbors in the rural Patti Road area expressed disbelief at the quiet morning turning tragic, recalling Smith and Spencer’s occasional waves and friendly chats during walks. Both left behind family members grappling with sudden loss, including Smith’s two adult children and Spencer’s siblings, who have requested privacy amid the ongoing probe.
As the investigation continues, Rocky Mount unites in grief, offering counseling resources through local churches and the sheriff’s office to support those affected. The community honors the victims’ contributions, vowing to foster awareness on mental health and relationship support to prevent future heartache.