Suspects sought in Sylva stabbing death

By Carey Phillips

The body of 49-year-old Lynn Rule was discovered Monday morning in her home on Drury Lane, just a short distance from the Sylva Police Department and Sylva City Hall. Police Chief Jeff Jamison said officers are following up several leads. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

The body of 49-year-old Lynn Rule was found Monday morning in her Drury Lane home off of Allen Street.

An autopsy showed Rule, who was found in her kitchen, died of numerous stab wounds to the torso and neck, Police Chief Jeff Jamison said. Other wounds, possibly from a fight, were not life threatening, he said. A weapon possibly used in the stabbing was recovered at the scene.

A female friend of Rule's who previously had stayed in the house with her reported to authorities sometime before 11 a.m. that she had found Rule lying in the floor, Jamison said. The friend had gone to the house to retrieve some belongings.

Rule was known to be alive around 10 p.m. Saturday. That's when a Sylva police officer heard her dogs barking and heard Rule trying to quieten them. The officer had a conversation with her but did not go to the house, Jamison said.

Rule lived alone in the house she rented above the Verizon building (formerly GTE). The structure was built in the early 1920s as a parsonage for First Baptist Church of Sylva. It was used for that purpose for some 45 years.

Rule had rented rooms out in the past but was not doing so at the time of her death, Jamison said. The last person moved out two weeks earlier.

Rule's son, Jack Rule of Miami, Fla., said his mother had divided her time between Sylva and Miami for six or seven years. Although she was not employed, she bought and sold antiques.

"She loved it up there," Jack Rule said. "She felt safe up there, especially being a stone's throw away from the Police Department. She loved Sylva with all her heart."

Jack Rule said there is no doubt in his mind that his mother knew her killer or killers.

"She never would have let anybody in the house she didn't trust," he said. "She always locked the doors. It was definitely somebody she knew and trusted."

Rule had numerous dogs and cats, including several puppies. Animal control officers are providing them with food and water for the time being, Jamison said.

"There are so many animals that animal control does not have the space for them," he said. Anyone interested in adopting one of the animals may call the Jackson County Animal Shelter at 586-6138.

Though investigators would not comment on suspects or motives in the murder, they did said they are continuing to follow several leads. Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at 586-2916.

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