Killer Barricaded In Home Commits Suicide

"LUMBERTON, NC — A man sought by Robeson County authorities in his estranged wife's death killed himself in Harnett County Tuesday morning, authorities said.

"Jennifer Espey-Ellinger, 42, was found dead in a friend's home in Lumberton Monday night. Sheriff Kenneth Sealey said that James Ellinger went to the home and shot her during a confrontation.

"An unidentified man in the home was stabbed during the confrontation. He was taken to Southeastern Regional Medical Center for treatment, but his condition was unknown Tuesday.

"The Harnett County Sheriff's Office received a tip Tuesday morning that a man wanted for murder had a shotgun and had barricaded himself in a house at 259 Royal St. in Fuquay-Varina. Deputies surrounded the house and tried to talk him out, but he committed suicide shortly after 11:30 a.m., authorities said.

"Sealey confirmed that the dead man was James Ellinger, 48, of St. Pauls.

"Jennifer Ellinger worked in the records division of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and is survived by three children from a previous marriage, Sealey said."

From WRAL.com...