NC woman fatally stabbed in head with screwdriver in parking lot during robbery

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville Police arrested a man Saturday in connection with the murder of a woman in a parking lot on Friday afternoon.

According to the Asheville Police Department, 29-year-old James Michael Norton of Marshall has been arrested and charged with first degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Officers responded to 56 Central Avenue about 4:30 p.m. Friday for a severely injured woman who was taken to Mission Hospital, where she later died.

The Asheville Citizen Times reported that the victim was stabbed in the skull with a screwdriver, according to warrants.

The victim was identified as 62-year-old Christina Louise Kessinger of Asheville.

Kessinger worked as a realtor with Asheville Realty Group, according to the newspaper.

Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies found Kessinger’s vehicle and Norton, who was identified as a person of interest, on Saturday.

Norton was arrested and is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Center without bond.

If you have any additional information about this crime, please contact the Buncombe County Crime Stoppers at 828-255-5050.— WSPA-TV contributed to this report