Double murder-suicide in Beaufort County: Police report earlier domestic incident

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - WTOC has uncovered new information surrounding a double murder and subsequent standoff that left the community reeling.

Dustin Linsley is accused of shooting and killing David Duffey and Catherine Warrington outside a rental home on Hilton Head Island last Thursday. Hours later, investigators say Linsley took his own life following a standoff at his home in Bluffton, where he was holding a woman hostage.

She was able to escape without injury.

Domestic Incident Reported Weeks Earlier

A newly obtained police report from the Bluffton Police Department, it reveals a domestic violence incident involving Linsley and Warrington just weeks before the fatal shooting.

According to the report filed on February 2nd, Linsley visited Warrington after discovering she had an upcoming date.

Warrington even told police that she felt that Linsley was hacking her phone because she didn’t know how he found out about the date.

Warrington chose not to press charges, and officers determined there was insufficient evidence to arrest at the time.

What the Report Documented

The report details a troubling encounter between the two on January 30.

According to Warrington’s account, Linsley chased her around the kitchen table, and she feared he was attempting to rape her.

She claimed he pulled out his gun, pointed it at her and her cat, and made chilling threats.

“If I can’t have you nobody will,” Linsley allegedly said, followed by: “We have two options, either I kill you or I will kill you and kill myself.”

When interviewed by police, Linsley denied making threats. He claimed there was only a minor argument and that he had been at the home doing landscaping work for Warrington.

He even told the police that he left his gun at home.

Pattern of Abuse

According to the police report, Linsley and Warrington had previously lived together in New Jersey, where there were several alleged domestic violence incidents. Warrington moved to Bluffton specifically to escape the relationship, but Linsley followed her.

The Danger of Leaving

Kirstin Dubrowski, CEO of Hopeful Horizons—an organization providing free services to approximately 1,300 survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault each year—emphasized a critical danger many don’t understand.

“When someone leaves an abusive situation, that’s when the risk of homicide increases significantly,” Dubrowski said. “So, 75% of people who are murdered in domestic violence situations have left the relationship.”

Research shows it often takes 7 to 8 attempts for someone to successfully leave an abusive relationship. Dubrowski noted that Hopeful Horizons handles between 500 and 600 domestic violence cases annually, though they believe the actual number is higher.

A Message to the Community

Dubrowski urges anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out for support.

“Talk to someone about it,” she said. “If it’s not calling our 24/7 hotline or support line to talk to someone, it’s talking to someone you trust like a friend or family member.”

Resources Available

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, Hopeful Horizons offers free services and support.

You can:

• Call their 24/7 support line: (843) 770-1070
• Visit their website for additional resources and information about how they can help

For anyone questioning whether a situation is abusive or unsure about next steps, reaching out to trained advocates can provide clarity and help create a safety plan.