On the morning of February 14 in Vass, North Carolina, what should have been a quiet Valentine’s Day turned into heartbreak for two families. At around 7:45 a.m., deputies from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home on Daphne Lane in the Woodlake community. Inside, they found 21-year-old Kateryna Tovmash of Vass and 28-year-old Matthew Wade of Hamilton, Mississippi, both dead from gunshot wounds. Wade was an active duty U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bragg.
Friends and neighbors who knew Kateryna and Matthew describe them as warm-hearted young adults. Kateryna had recently settled in the U.S. and was building a life in Vass. Matthew’s family said he had big dreams and was looking forward to future plans with the Army. Their sudden loss sent shockwaves through the small community, leaving loved ones struggling to make sense of what happened.
Investigators quickly focused on a suspect, 25-year-old Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh of Ohio. Authorities believe Fosnaugh was in a relationship with Kateryna in the past when they lived together in Ohio. Moore County officials say he left the scene before deputies arrived and fled the area in a vehicle.
Law enforcement agencies across state lines coordinated to find Fosnaugh. Later that same day, he was taken into custody in Ohio without incident. He now faces charges including breaking and entering and two counts of murder in connection with the shootings.
The community response has been one of sorrow and support for the families. Neighbors placed flowers and notes near the scene, and local leaders urged people to honor the victims’ memories by caring for those close to them. At the sheriff’s office, officials emphasized that this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to residents.
For those who knew Kateryna and Matthew, the pain is personal. Friends recall Kateryna’s kindness and her efforts to help others, and Matthew’s gentle nature and service to his country. Their lives, cut short in a moment of violence, have left a void that will be felt for years.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone with additional information to come forward. Meanwhile, families of the victims, their friends, and the greater Woodlake community are trying to process a loss that has shaken them deeply.
