Facing a first‑degree murder charge in her husband’s death, 54‑year‑old Susan Michelle Perry walked out of the Mecklenburg County Jail last Tuesday after posting a $150,000 bond. Her husband, Robert Joseph “Joe” Perry, was found dead at the couple’s Huntersville home on Nov. 10, 2025. Detectives say new evidence from a phone download and the medical examiner’s report led them to reclassify the case and pursue charges.
Affidavit Lays Out Grim Scene And Tight Timeline
According to an arrest affidavit, Huntersville officers were called to the Perry residence around 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 10 and found Robert Perry with an apparent gunshot wound to the center of his chest. A firearm was on a nearby table, and first responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The affidavit requests a warrant charging Susan Perry with first‑degree murder and notes that investigators downloaded both of their phones as part of the investigation. Those details are documented in the arrest affidavit on DocumentCloud.
Detectives Flag Internet Searches And Shifting Story
Reporting based on the affidavit states that detectives found multiple internet searches on Perry’s phone, including queries about the value of her husband’s wedding ring, “what to do if your husband wants divorce and you have no money,” and the phrase “center mass shots.” Investigators then brought her back in for another interview. In that later conversation, she told detectives the couple argued about divorce the night before and that a struggle over a gun ended with the weapon firing while she was holding it. National coverage of the affidavit and its account of those searches is detailed by Law&Crime.
Bond, Release And Next Court Date
Local reporting and court records show that Perry posted a $150,000 bond on Feb. 10 and was released from custody. As part of the case, a judge ordered a mental‑health assessment. She is scheduled to return to court next Friday. The bond and release were reported by WCNC, and the upcoming hearing was noted by Oxygen.
What A First‑Degree Murder Charge Means
First‑degree murder is the most serious homicide charge under North Carolina law and, depending on the facts and any aggravating circumstances, can expose a defendant to life in prison or capital punishment. State law defines first‑degree murder in terms of willfulness, deliberation and certain felony‑related killings. The statute’s language and penalties are outlined in North Carolina's criminal code.
Silence From Defense As Case Moves Forward
As of publication, Perry and her attorney had not issued a public statement about the charge, according to reporting. Prosecutors are expected to move through preliminary hearings and pretrial filings ahead next Friday court date. Media coverage of the case notes that investigators are still reviewing evidence highlighted in the affidavit and the medical examiner’s report, including reporting by Oxygen and other outlets.
