New Details In Lafayette County Deaths

OXFORD POLICE PRESS RELEASE

At 9:43am the Oxford Police Department responded to an ambulance assistance call on St. Andrews Circle. At approximately the same time the Lafayette County Sheriff’s office was responding to a call on County Road 105 about a possible suicide.

Once both separate scenes were determined safe and the surrounding area was secured the Oxford Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office initiated a joint investigation. The investigation indicates that the incident was a murder/suicide of two associated individuals. The investigation has determined that the two individuals found at the separate scenes were killed by gunshot. The victims were identified as Sharon Pegues Orange, date of birth 1/7/64 of 30 CR 215, Oxford, Ms 38655, and Michael Vernon Orange, date of birth 4/28/61 of 307 CR 105, Oxford, MS 38655. Sharon Pegues Orange was the estranged wife of Michael Vernon Orange and at this time authorities have not determined if the couple was legally divorced.

Ms. Orange was arriving to begin her shift as a caregiver for the residential owner on St. Andrews Circle. The resident called 911 after hearing a loud noise and seeing that Ms. Orange was sitting in the driver’s seat and appeared unresponsive. Once EMS and officers from the Oxford Police Department arrived it was determined that Ms. Orange was a victim of gunshot wounds.

During the initial investigation Officers on scene were notified of an apparent suicide in the county that seemed to have occurred within the same time frame. At that time the Lafayette County Sherriff’s Office and the Oxford Police Department determined the two events to be related and proceeded with a joint investigation.

OXFORD POLICE PRESS RELEASEAll of the evidence that was collected at the scene of the incident on St. Andrews Circle has been documented and submitted to the state crime lab for analysis, at which time a final determination will be made as to the cause of death. The incident is still considered an ongoing investigation