In the aftermath of the shooting death of a local woman and the apprehension of her husband, who allegedly shot her Sunday night, the family of the victim is trying to cope with their loss.

Deonna Hiatt, 19, died at 11:30 Monday morning at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem due to a gunshot wound to the head. She was found at 280 Dusty Lane in a pick-up owned by her parents by deputies who were investigating a breaking and entering at a paving and grading company owned by her estranged husband’s family. Hiatt was allegedly digging a grave with a backhoe when she was discovered alive, but unresponsive, authorities said.

Christopher Scott Hiatt, 26, remained in the same Winston-Salem hospital where his wife died. He is recovering from surgery from bullet wounds he received in a shoot-out with police Monday morning on Sable Lane.

Sheriff Graham Atkinson said when Hiatt is released he will be charged with first degree murder, among other potential charges. The sheriff said that Hiatt did not have a permanent address. He had been living with Deonna and her parents until they separated due to a repeated cycle of domestic violence toward the young woman.

Deonna leaves behind a 17 month-old, Emilee Jade Hiatt, and 7 month-old Michael Troy Hiatt. She was a full-time student at Surry Community College and worked part time on the weekends in the bakery at the Elkin WalMart.

Authorities have still not determined what happened to Hiatt after she left WalMart at about 6 p.m. Sunday. She was found by a sheriff’s deputy at 10:40 p.m. the same night.

Atkinson said there is no more information on where Deonna Hiatt may have been shot.

“I met with her parents this evening. They are coping with it much better than I would be,” Atkinson said.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations was called in to investigate the crime alongside the Surry County Sheriff’s Office.

“The SBI group is working on the homicide. They have been tying up the lose ends and getting all of the evidence taken care of. The SBI guys that are investigating the officer-involved shooting have been doing interviews,” Atkinson said.

Hiatt refused to comment during a phone interview Tuesday night.

He allegedly pulled out a handgun and began shooting at officers at the scene, according to authorities. It is still not clear if he was shot by sheriff deputies or North Carolina Highway Patrol officers, or both.

A trust fund for the children has been established. Contributions may be made to The Emilee and Michael Hiatt trust fund at Wood Forest Bank, 548 CC Camp Road, Elkin, NC 28621.

Deonna Hiatt’s obituary is listed on page 3A of today’s paper.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.