A 16-year-old girl has been accused of fatally shooting her parents and grandmother at their Fairview, North Carolina home.
The tragic event unfolded on Thursday, May 7, when deputies conducted a welfare check at the residence of Travis Grant, 41, his wife Kimberly Grant, 42, and Kimberly’s mother, Sharon Grant, 66. Authorities found all three family members dead from gunshot wounds.
The Discovery of the Tragedy
Around 7:15 p.m. local time, deputies from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) arrived at the home after a welfare check request.
Upon entering the house, they discovered the bodies of the Grant family members, all of whom had been shot.
The authorities later confirmed that the teenage daughter, Star Grant, was missing from the home at the time, which raised concerns regarding her involvement in the deaths.
The Teen’s Whereabouts and Arrest
The missing teen, Star Grant, was located the following day, May 8, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, along with a 28-year-old man, Devan Loving.
The two were found in a hotel room after a car linked to Star was spotted outside the building. The Gatlinburg Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initiated the search and confirmed the discovery of the pair.
While details about Star and Devan’s relationship have not been made public, both individuals have been charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy to commit murder. Star, despite her age, is being charged as an adult.
Investigative Developments
BCSO officials stated that detectives traveled to Gatlinburg to interview the suspects, and based on the information gathered from those interviews, charges were filed.
However, the motive for the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed further details at this time.
Reports indicate that the three deceased family members may have been dead for several days before their bodies were discovered on May 7. The Medical Examiner’s Office is still working to determine the exact time of death.
Family Background and Prior Concerns
Star Grant was adopted by Travis Grant in 2019, according to court records. Relatives of the Grant family shared troubling details, revealing that Star had been involved with a man who allegedly provided her with a burner phone to communicate with her in secret.
It was also reported that Travis Grant had attempted to file a restraining order against this individual. It is not yet known if Devan Loving is the same person involved in these earlier concerns.
Authorities noted that several welfare check requests were made before the tragic discovery. On May 4 and 6, relatives had contacted law enforcement, but deputies did not have enough information to force entry into the residence.
It was only after the third welfare check on May 7 that officers were able to gather enough evidence, triggering the urgent response.
Ongoing Legal Process
Star Grant is currently in custody at the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center, while Devan Loving is being held by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.
Both suspects will face an extradition hearing in Tennessee before being transferred to Buncombe County, North Carolina.
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office expressed its gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement involved in the investigation, including patrol deputies, detectives, and crime scene investigators, many of whom worked tirelessly to bring resolution to the case.
The department also offered condolences to the grieving family of the victims, hoping that the outcome of the investigation will bring some closure to the tragedy.
The murder of Travis, Kimberly, and Sharon Grant has shocked the Fairview community and raised unsettling questions about the motives behind such a horrific act. With Star Grant and Devan Loving in custody and facing serious charges, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the deaths.
As the legal process unfolds, more details about the teen’s motivations and the relationship between the suspects may come to light.
