A routine welfare check in Lexington turned into a double homicide investigation yesterday morning after deputies found two people dead inside a home on Cedar Grove Drive. The victims, identified as 51-year-old Susie Kiger and 40-year-old Joshua Purvis, were discovered around 7:45 a.m. A man located nearby was arrested a short time later and has since been charged in their deaths. He is being held without bond.
Welfare Check Led Deputies To The Scene
According to The Charlotte Observer, the case began when someone called 911 reporting that an individual had claimed to have broken into a residence and killed two people. Deputies were sent to 48 Cedar Grove Drive for a welfare check and found exterior doors unsecured. A search of the house turned up two deceased adults inside, the sheriff’s office said in a release cited by the outlet.
Suspect Located Nearby And Charged
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office said deputies found 38-year-old Cade Addison Hyskell of Winston-Salem in a neighboring yard. He was taken into custody after allegedly failing to follow deputies' lawful commands, according to the agency's statement. An arrest warrant states that Hyskell entered the house "with the intent to commit a felony," and prosecutors have charged him with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree burglary. He is being held without bond while the investigation continues.
Autopsies, Motive And Next Steps
Investigators have not released a possible motive. Autopsies for Kiger and Purvis will be performed by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, The Charlotte Observer reports. Detectives say the probe remains active as they collect forensic evidence and wait for the medical examiner's findings.
What The Charges Mean
First-degree murder is North Carolina's most serious homicide charge and can carry a sentence of life in prison without parole, or the death penalty in capital cases. Under state law, first-degree murder includes willful, deliberate and premeditated killings, as well as homicides that take place during certain felonies such as burglary. Penalties and procedures are detailed in N.C. General Statutes, Chapter 14.
Location Context
Lexington is in Davidson County, roughly an hour's drive from the Charlotte metro area. The road distance between the two cities is about 59 to 60 miles, with TravelMath listing it at approximately 59 miles depending on the route.
