58-year-old Paula Marlowe has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly slashing her husband’s throat while he slept
A 58-year-old North Carolina woman, Paula Marlowe, allegedly crept up on her sleeping husband and slashed his throat in the middle of the night — then confessed she planned to finish him off, burn the house down, and take her own life because of money troubles.
The attack happened around 2:50–2:52 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the couple’s rural home in the 880 block of Needmore Road in the Woodleaf community of Rowan County.
Deputies responded to a medical emergency call near the intersection of Godbey Road and Woodleaf Road. When they arrived, they found Jerry Marlowe being treated for a large laceration that stretched from his neck all the way down to his shoulder.
Paula Marlowe was right there — driving her bleeding husband to the hospital. At first, she told deputies that Jerry had woken her up, said he was bleeding badly, and needed to go to the ER. She claimed she was just trying to help.
Investigators from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division sat Paula down at the couple’s home for a deeper interview.
According to officials, Paula Marlowe confessed she had attacked her husband while he was asleep. She admitted she intended to kill him, set the entire residence on fire, and then end her own life — all because of alleged financial difficulties.
She reportedly got scared partway through the violent assault and didn’t go through with the full murder-suicide plan.
Jerry Marlowe survived the attack. He’s expected to recover but is still receiving medical treatment for his serious injuries.
Paula Marlowe has been charged with attempted first-degree murder. More charges could be coming as the investigation continues.
The couple owns and operates the popular Marlow’s Bar-B-Q & Seafood (also known as Marlow’s BBQ) at 2030 Statesville Blvd. in Salisbury.
Paula remains in custody.
