Pell City couple dead in possible murder-suicide

Published 5:44 pm Tuesday, October 30, 2018

The Pell City Police Department received a call Tuesday morning from a concerned employer when their female employee did not arrive to work. 

Police arrived at a residence in the 200 Block of Seddon Farms Lane at approximately 10:30 a.m. where officers saw the body of a male through a window.

According to Police Chief Paul Irwin, Jr., the residence was secure. Officers were able to access the residence where they found the bodies of Patrick Wayne Grap , 47, and Jennifer Lynn Grap, 39, both deceased from gunshot wounds in a possible murder-suicide. The deaths are still under investigation and have currently been identified as unclassified deaths.

“Officers have spoken with numerous persons who knew the victims and they reported domestic problems between them but the Pell City Police Department has never responded to anything at this location nor have we received any report until after this devastating event,” said Chief Irwin in a release. “From all of the evidence gathered on the scene and statements taken from friends and family of the deceased we do not have another reason to believe anyone else was involved in this tragedy.  Our prayers go out to the friends and family of this young couple.”

The couple were married and neighbors state that they had lived in the home for four years and both worked in Birmingham. 

“This month is domestic violence awareness month and we hope that this can be a wakeup call to anyone who knows someone who is living in a relationship that needs help,” stated Irwin. “The Pell City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies will vigorously investigate and prosecute any type of domestic related offenses in hopes that this type of event will never reoccur in our city or any other place.”

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Pell City Police Department at 884-3334.