Douglas Glenn Parker, 54, recently charged with the June 1, 2012 murders of his mother 71-year-old Edna Fields, and his sister Rebecka June Wade, 45, at the Fields home in Ranger, waived extradition and were transported by Gordon County deputies from Cherokee County, North Carolina, yesterday, according to Gordon County Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert Paris.

Douglas Parker has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of murder, said Paris.

According to a press release from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, detectives and GBI agents have recovered the firearm believed to have to have been involved with the murders.

Additionally, Janet Parker has been charged with Theft by taking after authorities discovered stolen property believed to be from the scene of the crime in her possession, according to Paris.

Though the murder is under investigation, authorities believe the violence stemmed from a prior domestic dispute, which landed Douglas Parker in the Gordon County jail May 21, for a battery charge against his mother, Edna Fields, said Paris.

Douglas Parker was soon released, in May, on a $10,000 bond.

Both Douglas and Janet Parker will appear in court pending a date, for their first appearance.

“Sheriff's MCU detectives and GBI agents from the Calhoun GBI Office are continuing their investigation, and additional charges may be filed later,” said the press release from the Gordon County Sheriff’s office.

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The Gordon County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a double homicide that occurred in Ranger around 11:45 p.m. Friday, June 1.

According to Sheriff Mitch Ralston, deputy sheriffs were dispatched to 932 US Highway 411 in response to the report of a double homicide.

Minutes later, deputies arrived on the scene and entered the home where they found the bodies of Edna Sue Fields, 71, and Rebecka June Wade, 45, of 237 Flora Drive, of Calhoun, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The bodies had initially been discovered by family members who had became concerned after Wade had been late for an appointment. Both victims had suffered apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies secured the scene and summoned the Sheriff and detectives to the scene.

The Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit (MCU) and Crime Scene Unit immediately initiated an on scene investigation. Sheriff Ralston also summoned assistance from the local GBI Office to aid detectives with the scene and the continuation of the investigation. Detectives removed numerous articles of physical evidence from the crime scene and rapidly developed leads which indiciated that the suspect was a family member by whom Fields had recenctly been victimized, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Through out the night, MCU detectives and GBI agents interviewed witnesses and investigating the crime scene.

According to the press release, following leads they'd developed from witnesses and physical evidence from the scene, and utilizing recently acquired technological resources, MCU detectives located the suspect, identified as one Douglas Glenn Parker, age 54, whose last known address was listed as 152 Dawnville Road, Dalton, and in Murphy, North Carolina.

Saturday, June 2, warrants were issued to Parker, who was charged with the murders of Fields, who is believed to be his mother, and Wade, who is believed to be his sister, according to Ralston. MCU detectives believe the murders were a result of an ongoing domestic dispute.

MCU detectives and GBI agents have identified another person of interest whom they believe to have knowledge of the murders. This second person has not been charged in connection with the deaths at this time, but is in police custody, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"This was a vile crime in an otherwise peaceful community. Two innocent lives have been taken, and the family of the victims are in our thoughts and prayers. While we can't restore a lost loved one, I am pleased that we have resolved this case swiftly and the persons responsible will be held accountable before a jury of Gordon County citizens," said Ralston. "I'd like to commend the E911 operators, deputies, MCU detectives, our local GBI Office, and our Coroner's Office for their hard work in this case."

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