FAIRMONT, NC (WBTW) – The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide after two bodies were found in a field in the Fairmont area Tuesday afternoon.

Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey identified the bodies as those of Steven Matthew McCray, 31, and Ashley Nicole Smith, 33.

Sealey says deputies received a call around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding two people found deceased in an open field. The bodies were covered with debris in a field on Collins Mill Road near Highway 130.

Henry Caudler says he found the two dead bodies in an overgrown lot while walking down Collins Mill Road.

“On my way back out, is when I saw the two feet sticking out… it looked like a mannequin at first,” said Caulder. “I walked over closer, [I] didn’t disturb anything, but walked around just checking it before I did call anybody. I noticed two boots sticking up. I thought I would call and make sure, now I rest at night.” 

The military veteran says the discovery gave him nightmares of his time in Vietnam.

“Even though it’s been about 50 years since I’ve been to Vietnam. When you see dead bodies shot up then you see another one, it kind of brings back a lot of memories,” said Caulder.

Caudler says the neighborhood is usually quiet. He prays investigators find out what happened to two people.

“I think the Lord led me down there to find these people to give comfort to their families,” said Caulder.

Sheriff Sealey says investigators are treating both deaths as a homicide, but autopsies will have to be performed before a cause of death is determined.

News13’s been following a trend of shooting deaths in Robeson County. Since last Thursday, the Sheriff’s office confirms there have been six people killed in the last week.

Last Thursday, a 17-year-old Jeremiah Dakota Locklear was shot on Offie Jones Road. Deputies say Locklear died at the hospital. 

Sunday morning, two people were shot near Charlie Drive and Rennert Road.

Scott Chavis, 47- years- old died on the scene. Dakota Hunt, 18- years- old died on the way to the hospital.

Tuesday morning, one person was shot and killed on Daniel McLeod Road.

Tuesday afternoon, two bodies were found in on Collins Mill Road.