FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide after two people were found dead Friday morning.

Deputies responded around 9 a.m. on December 5 to a call reporting an unresponsive person in a red Honda SUV near the 1400 block of Patti Road.

When first responders arrived, they found two people deceased inside the vehicle, each with fatal gunshot wounds.

The victims were identified as James Randolph Smith, 55, and Tina Marie Brown Spencer, 41, both of Rocky Mount.

According to the sheriff’s office, the two were known to each other, and the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

The bodies have been transported to the medical examiner in Roanoke for further review.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Officials extended condolences to the families.

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