One charged in connection with death of man found in Lumberton canal

One person has been charged in connection with the death of another man found in a Lumberton canal in December. 

Brian Keith Locklear, 47, of Rowland, was charged for larceny of a motor vehicle and concealment and/or failure to report a death on Tuesday, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office says in a press release. These charges are related to the death of 53-year-old Jon Eric Morris, of Jacksonville, Alabama. 

Morris’ body was found in a canal on Kenric Dr. in Lumberton, the sheriff’s office says. A cause of death is pending the completion of an autopsy by the NC Medical Examiner’s Office. The final autopsy report will determine if any additional charges will be filed. 

The Eastern District of the NC Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the FBI, Deep Branch Fire Department, Chatsworth Police Department in Murray County, Georgia, and the Jacksonville Police Department in Alabama assisted with the investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Brandon Patterson at 910-671-3100.