Case Update: The victims have been identified as Nateesha Ward Chapman (estranged wife), Nakyiah Jael Chapman (daughter) and Na’Jhae Parker (daughter). The suspect in this case has been identified as Kenneth Jermaine Chapman (father).The manners of deaths are three homicides and a suicide. The cause of death has yet to be established in reference to the homicides. The male suffered from a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the determination upon the conclusion of their investigation.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and ADW Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three people found deceased at 6930 Providence Square Drive, Apartment 179 . The call for service came in at 11:13 p.m., on Monday, March 29, 2010. The identities of the victims in this case will be released upon family notification.
Independence Division officers responded to a call for service to check the welfare placed by a relative (an uncle) of an adult female who resides at the apartment along with her husband and four children. The uncle called 911 tonight to have officers respond to the scene to assist him in making contact with his niece. When officers arrived on scene, the front door to the apartment was open. Officers noticed the husband standing on the stairs inside the apartment. Shortly after officers called out to him, they heard two gunshots from inside the apartment. After the gunshots, two young children ran unharmed outside of the apartment.
When officers entered the apartment to investigate, they located the husband suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Upon a search of the apartment, officers located two deceased children who resided at the apartment. At this initial stage of the investigation, it is believed that the victims are a one year old and twelve year old child. Medic pronounced the children and adult male deceased on scene. It appears that the children have been deceased for several days before tonight’s incident. Their manner of death has yet to be determined. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will be responsible for determining the cause of death.
Based on information gathered from family members, at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, detectives responded to 5638-G, Via Romano Drive to search for the adult female. When detectives entered the apartment, they found her deceased. It appears that she has been deceased for some time. She is a lease holder of the apartment in which she was found deceased. Her manner of death has yet to be determined. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will be responsible for determining the cause of death.
Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to photograph it and collect physical evidence. Detectives with the Youth Crime and Domestic Violence Unit also responded to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective K. Martin is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.