Nick quoted in Double Murder Case

CHARLOTTE -- The Rowan County Sheriff's Office says Jody and Jerry Bullin were killed while trying to sell their car.

The elderly couple advertised with a local paper. Detectives believe that is how 25-year-old Fredrick Hedgepeth found them, acting as a potential buyer and then shot them to death.

This tragic incident shows the dangers of privately selling a car or any item, but there are steps to take to protect yourself and your property.

Erika Terry turned to the internet to sell her used forerunner. She had some apprehension about advertising in such a public manner, so she took certain steps to protect herself.

"I didn't give too much information,” said Terry. “I just put my email, that way if they had questions they would email.'

Terry sold her SUV, the same day the Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten says a potential buyer murdered a couple trying to sell their vehicle.

"What could have gone wrong to cause a car sales transaction to turn into a double murder,” said Auten. “It is unusual and hard to figure out.'

Nicholas Hughes, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, martial arts instructor, and body guard warns selling a vehicle privately can be dangerous. But there are tips to protect yourself and your property. Hughes says get as much information on the buyer as possible, meet them in a public place while it's still light out and don't go alone.

He says, if you feel uncomfortable, bail. "Trust your instincts,” Hughes said. “Too often we get the warning signal that raises the red flag, but because we were brought up to be polite, we don't want to offend the person, we ignore that.”

Auten said the Bullin's daughter knew where her parents were going and contacted the authorities when she lost contact with them. Detectives say that helped them track down Hedgepeth.