Slain Couple Described As 'Well Respected, Christian' People

The Greenville County Coroner's Office has confirmed that two bodies found at 10 Terramont Drive on the Eastside were those of Gary Wells, 78, and Helen Wells, 77. 

The couple, active members at Taylors First Baptist Church, did not respond when a housekeeper knocked on the door Wednesday morning, according to Thomas Ragsdale, whose father-in-law lives next door to the house near Hudson Road. 

When the housekeeper couldn't get anyone to come to the door, she went to the next door neighbors, who often do yard work for the couple, to ask for help. It was then that the neighbors discovered the door was actually unlocked. Ragsdale said there was blood on the front doorknob, and that when his in-laws made entry to their neighbors' home, they discovered the Wells dead inside. 

Jonathan Smith, public information officer for the GCSO, said that while the deaths are being investigated by the coroner's office as a double homicide, they do not believe there is a threat to the community. 

"Investigators do not believe that there is an immediate threat to the general public. Neighbors and area residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and if they see anything out of the ordinary or suspicious to contact law enforcement," Smith said. 

Chuck Northcutt, a fishing buddy of Gary Wells', said he had plans to go fishing with him the very day he was discovered dead. 

"We were supposed to go on a fishing trip today," Northcutt said at the scene. "We tried contacting him last night, but when we called him it went straight to his machine." 

Northcutt said Gary Wells was a retired employee in the textile industry, having worked for Hollingsworth. 

Ragsdale said he was shocked by the deaths. 

"The Wells were well respected, and never had any problems. They were Christian folks," said Ragsdale. 

Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis estimates the time of death of the couple at some point Tuesdsay. Their bodies were discovered at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday. 

Ragsdale said he was told by those who discovered the body that there were possible signs of ransacking inside the home, but investigators would not comment as to whether or not the crime was a possible home invasion or robbery.