13, 17-year-old found dead in Vance County home

HENDERSON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two teens were found dead at a Vance County home Monday night.

At 9:40 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in the 70 block of Torri Drive in Henderson in reference to two people who were dead.

“We saw probably two fire trucks, three ambulances, lots of cops. But that's the first we knew anything was going on,” said Jennifer Brust, who lives in the neighborhood.

When deputies arrived, they found two teens, ages 13 and 17, who were pronounced dead at the scene.

“Terrible. We're shaken. I mean, we've never had anything like this go on. It’s very traumatic,” said Brust.

Neighbors said deputies were on the scene overnight, before leaving mid-morning.

 The victims’ names, relationship, and their cause of death have not been publicly released. 

Sheriff Curtis Brame told ABC 11 there was “No update” on the case Tuesday afternoon, and Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry told ABC 11 she had “no comment” to a series of questions regarding the investigation.

Off-camera, a neighbor recalled seeing the children – an older boy and younger girl - as recently as Saturday.

“(The family) stayed away from most of everybody. We did see the kids outside playing in the snow this past weekend, stuff like that. They would walk around outside, play on their bikes, and stuff like that. We really rarely saw the father,” Brust said.

In May 2025, NCDHHS temporarily assumed leadership of child welfare services at the Vance County Department of Social Services.

A spokesperson for NCDHHS said they were unable to answer a series of questions regarding the investigation, including whether Child Protective Services had previously visited the home.

In a statement, a spokesperson wrote:

Our hearts break for everyone impacted by these tragic deaths. We believe every child in North Carolina deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they have every opportunity to achieve their full potential. We take seriously our role in supporting and protecting children and families in North Carolina and are working with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.  

At this time, we are unable to provide further details as confidentiality laws governing child welfare prohibit NCDHHS from commenting on the circumstances of a particular case. 

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 738-2200 or the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925.