The Smyrna man accused of killing a couple inside their Peek Drive home Wednesday had been living with the couple for several weeks, sheriff’s deputies say.

Carroll County sheriff’s Capt. Shane Taylor said Daniel Buckner, 27, who was arrested Wednesday night in connection with the shooting deaths of John Wahl, 48, and his partner Beth Allen Jackson, 43, had met the couple through one of Buckner’s relatives before he moved into the house at 45 Peek Drive near Carrollton.

Buckner was charged with two counts of murder.

Taylor said the bodies of the victims were discovered after a friend Buckner was visiting with in Atlanta called Atlanta police Wednesday after Buckner began describing how he killed the couple. Police said when officers arrived at the Stonewall Road residence around 8 p.m. where Buckner was visiting, he was found sitting inside an Oldsmobile that was registered to Wahl.

A .38-caliber handgun was recovered inside the car, according to authorities.

Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley said Buckner admitted to killing the couple to Atlanta police and sheriff’s deputies during interviews.

Taylor confirmed Friday after the results of the autopsies were complete that the causes of Wahl’s and Jackson’s deaths were from gunshot wounds.

After receiving information that a possible crime had been committed in Carroll County, deputies sent to the residence found the bodies of Wahl and Jackson in the kitchen and living room of the home. Authorities said multiple shots had been fired.

Neighbors in Peek Squire Estates, where the slaying occurred, said they were shocked that such a violent act had occurred in the quiet neighborhood.

Carl Hill, who lives next door to the couple’s residence, said Wahl and Jackson had moved into the neighborhood only about two months ago. He said he was sorry that he did not have an opportunity to know the couple better.

“They were outside a lot, talking in the yard,” Hill said. “They would wave at everyone who drove by and speak to the neighbors.”

Hill said the couple recently began remodeling their two-story home after settling in.

“I’m surprised something like this happened here,” he said. “This is a real quite neighborhood, and there are a lot of older folks that live here. I never thought this could happen.”

Deputies said a witness told officers that a vehicle was seen leaving the residence around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Hill said he was not home during the afternoon, and he never heard any gun shots or a dispute coming from the house next door Wednesday.

Taylor said investigators are still waiting for further testing on the evidence recovered from the victims’ bodies, the scene and a firearm found in the vehicle.

Greg Mann and his wife, Margaret, said they frequently saw Wahl outside trimming his hedges or doing yard work.

“He was a real nice fellow,” Greg Mann said. “They were both friendly and would speak to you every time you saw them. They were good neighbors. They kept the yard up, and shoot yeah, it was very shocking to learn this happened. In this neighborhood, we try and look out for each other. It’s a simple place to live.”

Margaret Mann said she and her husband have lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years,

“When something like this happens, it’s not a good feeling,” she said. “This a quiet neighborhood, and there are a lot of kids that play basketball outside. I never thought nothing like this would happen.”

Margaret Mann said she was at home Wednesday afternoon ironing and doing household choirs while listening to music.

“I guess the music was too loud since I didn’t hear nothing,” she said.

Authorities believe Wahl had worked in the automotive industry.

Buckner, who is represented by Public Defender Shikera Turner, was denied bond Thursday during a first appearance hearing, where he was also informed by the judge that, if convicted, he could face the death penalty on the charges.

Langley said Buckner has an extensive criminal history and was on parole at the time of his arrest Wednesday.

Authorities said Cobb County sheriff’s deputies had been searching for Buckner since March after warrants were issued for his arrest on several charges, including child molestation.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Buckner has been convicted of numerous offences, which include first degree forgery, fraudulent use of a credit card, simple battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and theft by receiving stolen property in Cobb and Cherokee counties since 1998.