N.C. couple, officer slain; suspect shot dead

MORGANTON, N.C. - Authorities say deputies found a couple slain in a western North Carolina home, and an ensuing manhunt led to the ambush death of a law enforcement officer, and the subsequent death of one of the couple's relatives during gunfire.

Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant says deputies initially found Levi and Rhonda Whisnant dead in their home Wednesday. He says stolen vehicles from the home prompted a search for 38-year-old Troy David Whisnant, the man's son and the woman's stepson.

The sheriff said U.S. Forest Service officer Jason Crisp was fatally shot in an ambush during Wednesday's manhunt, hours before the suspect Whisnant was located in woods and was himself shot dead after firing on three other officers.

Gov. Pat McCrory planned to meet Officer Crisp's widow and other officers involved in the manhunt.