A grandson has been arrested for allegedly murdering his elderly grandparents after the couple was found dead inside their home in Greenville, North Carolina. Pitt County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. from a home on Deborah Court on Wednesday, December 31. As they entered the house, investigators found an elderly couple lifeless inside. Authorities have since identified the victims as 67-year-old Frances Ruffin and 73-year-old Rayfield Ruffin, according to a news release shared by the department. Meanwhile, Us Weekly can confirm that their adult grandson, Martinez Ruffin, has been arrested in connection with the deaths. Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance confirmed that Martinez, 34, has been charged with two open counts of murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, according to WTOC. Missouri Man Killed Grandmother, Stabbed Her 2 French Bulldogs The sheriff added that Frances and Rayfield suffered blunt force trauma and knife wounds that led to their deaths. "There was one knife found on the suspect," Dance said. "But let me point out that there are several potential items or weapons that may have been used." Deputies reported to the home after a family member called 911 to report that they found the bodies inside. The caller said that they had left the house to go to the store and returned to find that the victims were brutally killed. Dance said that Martinez was found walking along a nearby road before he was taken into custody. It is not currently clear if Martinez has entered a plea or retained a lawyer following his arrest. Following Frances and Rayfield's passing, family member Kiana Cherry issued a statement about the tragedy. "My heart broke. I couldn't understand," she told WCTI 12. "It just broke. Like this got to be the wrong house - it broke like not them. This is not how I wanted to start the year, but they got to be remembered. They were beautiful people, I mean absolutely gorgeous." The investigation into Frances and Rayfield's deaths remains ongoing. Deputies are currently in the process of gathering evidence in order to determine what really happened regarding the deaths. The tragedy comes more than one year after another person died in the same residence. In October 2024, a 6-year-old child accidentally shot and killed their 5-year-old brother when they got hold of a family member's gun. Police Arrest Son of Beloved Texas Couple Found Murdered in Their Home Rayfield, who was the late child's great-grandfather, was charged with not storing the firearm properly to protect children, according to WITN. The outcome of the case is not currently clear. Following the child's death, the family took to GoFundMe to ask for donations to help pay for funeral costs. "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Karter River Rosenboro. Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin tragically lost his life to an accidental shooting," the post read in part. "Karter was a happy 5-year-old with a bright smile and loved by so many. The family is going through unimaginable pain and heartbreak."