Wilmington Family Remembered After Tragic Losses Spanning More Than a Decade

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A North Carolina family is being remembered after a series of heartbreaking losses that unfolded over more than a decade, culminating in the deaths of parents Tracey and Steve last weekend in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide.

The tragedy comes years after the couple endured the devastating loss of both of their sons, Zack Willeth and his younger brother, Colby, who died approximately one year apart.

Zack Willeth Wilmington NC Cause of Death

According to family members, Zack Willeth, the beloved son of Tracey and Steve, died in 2013 while serving in the military. His family has emphasized that his death was the result of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, not suicide, correcting misinformation that has circulated over the years.

Just a year after Zack’s passing, the family suffered another unimaginable loss when their younger son, Colby, also died.

Colby Willeth Wilmington NC

In the wake of the recent deaths of Tracey and Steve, relatives and longtime friends have shared emotional tributes reflecting on the family’s life together and the profound grief they carried.

One family member wrote:

“It breaks my heart to think of this family no longer existing, except in our hearts and minds. Tracey was Sam’s and my second cousin. Steve was a lifelong friend. I took this picture in happier times, somewhere around 1999 or 2000.”

The tribute recalled Tracey’s kindness and Steve’s years of service helping others as an emergency medical technician.

“Steve starred in my film ‘James Bonded:000.’ We were at UNCW together and were EMTs with Whiteville Rescue. We shared a lot of laughs. We watched ‘Caddyshack’ together many times and even went to see ‘Taps’ and ‘Excalibur’ at least three times each.”

The family member also praised Steve’s dedication to emergency response, saying he helped save countless lives through his work on the rescue squad.

“Steve, through his work on the squad, helped a lot of people. He saved a lot of people. He was a good EMT and was great to be on a rescue call with.”

Reflecting on the loss of Zack and Colby, the tribute continued:

“Tracey and Steve lost older son Zack in 2013 and then Colby a year later. I can’t begin to imagine how much that hurt and what they went through. I pray they are reunited with their boys and that everyone is whole, safe and at peace. God bless them all.”

Friends and loved ones have remembered the Willeth family as one that endured extraordinary heartbreak while remaining deeply connected to their community. Steve’s service as an EMT and the couple’s devotion to their sons have been recurring themes in the tributes shared following their deaths.

Tracey and Steve Willeth Wilmington NC Murder-Suicide

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide that claimed the lives of Tracey and Steve. The family is now being remembered not only for the tragedy that marked their final chapter, but also for the love they shared, the lives they touched, and the memories that continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew them.