A man is dead after being shot at his residence which is located above the Cape Fear Serpentarium. The reptile zoo is listed as a “one of a kind facility which features dozens of exhibits which offer visitors a close encounter with some of the rarest and most dangerous reptile species in the world.”
Larry Dean Ripa, 60, was shot dead by his wife. Regina Ripa, 40, has been charged with her husband’s murder.
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According to Cathryn Lindsay, a spokesperson with the Wilmington Police Department, the man, Ripa was shot in a domestic incident. Police responded to the residence at 20 Orange Street, around 2:25pm, where they found Larry Ripa suffering from a gunshot wound. Wilmington police have now charged Ripa’s wife, Regina Ripa, 40, with her husband’s murder. Detectives believe the homicide is domestic related. Regina Ripa is being held in the New Hanover County Jail under no bond. h/t wect
Ripa was an expert herpetologist and the founder of Cape Fear Serpentarium. According to Ripa’s website, he was also touring singer known as ‘Dean “The Voice.”
From Dean’s website: “Dean’s on a year long tour as the singer for the famous Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the band that featured Frank Sinatra.”
Dean’s father was Lawrence “Larry” Ripa, a well-known Builder and Developer of residential and commercial properties in the Wilmington area. Lawrence passed away in 2015.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this difficult time.