A long-unsolved Robeson County case took a major turn Thursday when law enforcement arrested the stepmother of 18-year-old Sara Nicole Graham and two of the stepmother’s sons in connection with Graham’s 2015 disappearance and presumed homicide. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said the arrests, described as the first criminal charges in the case, came after a lengthy investigation carried out with help from the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. Investigators say they are still working to find Graham’s remains.
Arrests and charges
Robeson County authorities arrested three people at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, according to The Robesonian. Court filings and local reporting identify the suspects as stepmother Connie Graham and two of her stepchildren, Bobby Matthew McClellan and Luke Locklear. The charges include first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, and multiple counts related to the alleged alteration or destruction of evidence. The FBI Charlotte office also announced the arrests on X, as shown in a post from FBI Charlotte.
Investigation history and why now
Sara Nicole Graham was last seen on Feb. 4, 2015, leaving her Fairmont home to go to work, and her white van was found abandoned in a nearby field later that day, according to the FBI. The bureau still lists Graham as a missing person and is offering a reward for information that leads to the discovery of her body. A Robeson County Superior Court judge declared Graham legally dead on June 1, which authorities said allowed them to shift the case from a missing-person investigation to a homicide probe, as reported by WRAL.
Court and legal next steps
Court documents allege investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the concealment and disposal of physical items tied to Graham’s death, including bedding, clothing, and sections of flooring, according to reporting and arrest warrants reviewed by WRAL. Connie Graham is being held without bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 2. Bobby McClellan and Luke Locklear were each given $1 million secured bonds. “We continue to use every available investigative method, technology, and resource to search for Sara,” Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a statement reported by WRAL.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100 or the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office, according to The Robesonian. Tips may also be submitted online through the FBI’s portal at tips.fbi.gov.
