Phyllis Baccus Mansfield, 73, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, died on December 14, 2016, from gunshot wounds to the head and chest inflicted by her husband, 73-year-old Samuel Frank Mansfield. Phyllis was a retired cosmetologist and former owner of Phyllis’ Jewelry and Accessories. She and Samuel had been married 53 years and left behind two daughters and three grandchildren; she was a native of Perquimans County and had been predeceased by five brothers and three sisters.

Samuel told police he killed Phyllis because he did not want to place her in a nursing home, saying he believed she would be living like a caged animal. He was initially charged with first-degree murder; a grand jury declined to indict on that charge, and a later grand jury returned an indictment for second-degree murder. Samuel ultimately pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter but died before sentencing.

Who knew Phyllis or her family and can share details about her life or care in the months before December 2016?