A 54-year-old man has been charged in the abduction and death of Hickory woman Robin Doyle, authorities announced Friday. Leroy Allen Loper faces charges of felony murder, first-degree kidnapping and concealment of death. He is being held without bond as the investigation continues.
The Catawba County Sheriff's Office said the case involved assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Catawba County District Attorney's Office, Surry County Sheriff's Office and other agencies. In the sheriff's office release, Sheriff Don Brown said Doyle's family is enduring an 'unimaginable loss' and investigators will continue pursuing every fact until justice is fully served.
Loper was booked July 30, and the Catawba County jail roster lists the murder, first-degree kidnapping and concealment-of-death charges. The roster shows his first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Catawba County District Court.
Prior Convictions Add Weight To The Case
The sheriff's office said Loper is a registered sex offender and has prior convictions for first-degree kidnapping and second-degree forcible sexual offense. Those prior records are separate from the new allegations, which prosecutors will still have to prove in court.
What The North Carolina Charges Mean
North Carolina law treats kidnapping as first degree when the person was not released in a safe place or was seriously injured or sexually assaulted, according to the state kidnapping statute. The murder and kidnapping counts remain allegations, and Loper is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The sheriff's office said the investigation remains active and encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact investigators through the agency's public information office. No additional details about the circumstances surrounding Doyle's death were released Friday.
