Family remembers father of 5 killed in North Carolina double homicide

HOPE MILLS, N.C. (WNCN) — A hardworking, outgoing, caring father of five is how Crystal Duggins describes her husband Taylor Duggins.

Cumberland County deputies said the 32-year-old Duggins and 21-year-old Arthur Acosta were shot and killed in Hope Mills Tuesday morning. They were found dead at a job site by a co-worker at their window cleaning and pressure washing company, who notified law enforcement.

“[My husband] is the most amazing person I’ve ever met in my life,” Crystal Duggins said. “The fact his life was taken so senselessly for absolutely nothing is just disgusting.”

Crystal Duggins said her husband and Acosta weren’t just co-workers, noting Acosta also spent time with her family.

“[Acosta] just had the biggest heart,” Duggins said. “He was like a big teddy bear. He would do anything for anybody, really and truly.”

Wendy Johnson, Taylor Duggins’ mother, said “I will forever miss the phone calls that he gave me a lot in the morning times. He would call and ask what I was doing. I’m going to miss those phone calls. I’m going to miss hearing his voice.”

Duggins’ family said he helped the homeless, loved fishing, and was well known in the biking and hockey communities. His stepfather, Yarnell Johnson, said it’s hard to imagine the family’s annual fishing trips without him.

“I’m proud of him,” Yarnell Johnson said. “I watched him grow and develop into a fine young man, a great father. He became a great son.”

Now, the family is making sure his passions in life will live on his children.

“We’re going to make his memory alive,” Wendy Johnson said. “Keep his memory alive forever. We’ll never let it die.”

Online fundraisers have been set up for the Duggins family and the Acosta family .

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