A quiet nature trail near Glen Alpine turned into a homicide scene this week after deputies arrested a Hickory couple in connection with human remains found along a path off Hennessee Street, according to the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say 36-year-olds Jamar Quarmaine Propst and Tosha Lee Lewis, both of Hickory, were taken into custody early Saturday and are being held in the Burke County Jail. Detectives located human remains near the trail earlier in the week, then found a second set over the weekend. One set has been identified as 31-year-old Raheim McClain Murray, while the second is still awaiting positive identification. Warrants for Propst and Lewis allege first-degree murder and felony conspiracy.
According to the Burke County Sheriff's Office, deputies and the Glen Alpine Police Department first responded Monday to a report of suspicious circumstances at 618 Hennessee Street. Agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation then located human remains on Tuesday, prompting a joint homicide investigation and a continued search of the surrounding area. The sheriff's office says warrants were issued later in the week and that the probe remains active.
Arrests and charges
As reported by WHKY, authorities identified the suspects as Propst and Lewis, both 36 and from Hickory. WHKY says each is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony conspiracy. Both were taken into custody without incident early Saturday and are being held without bond. Prosecutors are expected to present the case in court, and the pair is scheduled to make a first appearance on Monday.
Victims and scene
According to the Burke County Sheriff's Office, the remains recovered on Tuesday have been identified as those of 31-year-old Raheim McClain Murray of Morganton. The second set of remains, located Saturday near the same nature trail, is still awaiting positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Both discoveries were made near the trail off Hennessee Street, where parts of the path have been roped off while SBI agents and local detectives process evidence. The sheriff's office has asked anyone with information about what happened along that trail to contact investigators as the case moves forward.
Investigation and agencies
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted in locating the initial remains, and state and county detectives remain on scene as they follow up on leads. WHKY reports that investigators have not released a possible motive or explained how the victims and suspects might be connected. Officials say additional forensic testing is underway, along with family notifications, and that more information will be released when it becomes available.
Legal implications
Both first-degree murder and felony conspiracy carry severe penalties under North Carolina law. First-degree murder is a capital offense that can result in the death penalty or life imprisonment, depending on prosecutorial decisions. If the state does not pursue capital punishment, the default sentence upon conviction is life imprisonment, according to the North Carolina General Assembly.
Conspiracy to commit a felony is generally punished one class lower than the underlying offense, which means a conspiracy charge tied to a Class A murder offense would be prosecuted at a lower class. Statutory details are outlined in G.S. 15A-2004 and G.S. 14-2.4.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is ongoing and that additional details will be released as detectives and SBI agents complete forensic work and notify families. Anyone with information is urged to contact Burke County detectives or use the department's tip line.
