IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies in Iredell County are investigating an overnight homicide in Troutman.
IMAGES: Deputies investigating after body found in parking lot of animal hospital
Officials told Channel 9 that a man's body was found by a paper-delivery driver in the parking lot of the Troutman Animal Hospital on Murdock Road around 2:47 a.m.
Deputies said Leann Gillespie called them at 1 a.m. saying she received a text from her estranged husband, Jeffrey Gillespie, 33, letting her know he shot and killed her current boyfriend, Robert Swedlund, but he wouldn't tell her where.
Leann and Jeffrey Gillespie have not been together for years.
About an hour later deputies received a call from a newspaper delivery woman with the Statesville Record and Landmark saying she found a body at the Troutman Animal Hospital. Deputies confirmed the deceased was Swedlund.
"We know there was communication between them and they set up a meeting here. Our victim arrived first probably about 30 minutes and then our suspect,” Campbell said.
RAW VIDEO: Iredell Co. Sheriff's media briefing after body found at animal hospital
Late Tuesday afternoon, deputies said they found evidence linked to the homicide along Interstate 77 south.
Deputies were not releasing what that evidence is but said it is south of the crime scene.
Angie Cash lives right across the street from the animal hospital.
"It's a little disturbing. We didn't hear anything. I woke up and got up around four o'clock and saw lights flashing in the window and checked to see what it was," Cash said.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said Gillespie should be considered armed and dangerous and could be driving a 2004 white Acura with tinted windows and chrome wheels. The North Carolina tag is CJT-4791.
"We don't know what our suspect was wearing. We know he has family in Charlotte and the Virginia area, so he could be anywhere from here and in between and also in Iredell County," said Campbell.
Leann Gillespie's family wouldn't speak on camera but told Channel 9 she's devastated and that she was six months pregnant with Swedlund's baby.
Channel 9 has learned Leann obtained a protective order against Jeffrey Gillespie in October. Deputies said that same month Jeffrey Gillespie violated the protective order and was also charged with communicating threats and harassing phone calls against Leann Gillespie.
Jeffrey Gillespie's court date for violating that protective order is set for Feb. 13. Once he is caught, deputies said he'll be charged with murder.
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