FAIRMONT, N.C. (WNCN) — The Robeson County man being held being bars, charged with killing an elderly woman on Sunday, grew up in the community and knew the woman.
Deputies found Annie Grace Davis, 78, at her home on Primrose Drive in Fairmont. Sheriff’s officials said she appeared to have been stabbed during the early-morning burglary.
Hours later, deputies arrested Jonathan Martin Oliver. Oliver, 27, faces charges including first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
The news of Davis’ death shocked a lot of people throughout the community, including longtime friend and neighbor Mary Walters. Sheriff’s officials said Oliver grew up in the community and was familiar with Davis.
“We’ve never had anything like this to happen to us so close by,” Walters said. “I’m just sorry that she had to leave this earth the way she did, because no one deserves that at all.”
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office released images taken from a surveillance system at Davis’ home Sunday morning.
Sheriff’s officials also said the suspect left Davis’s home, walking Primrose Drive heading towards Highway 130 East and Wiregrass Road.
“I’m a light sleeper, and I didn’t hear a thing,” neighbor Timmy Bullock said.
Bullock lived next to Davis for many years.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor,” he said. “It’s very disturbing. You hear about stuff like this on the news, [and] you never dream of it ever being in your backyard.”
Neighbors hope to see justice come for Davis and her family.
“There’s no reason to hurt anybody,” Bullock said. “It’s senseless. There’s no room in society for people like that.”
Oliver is being held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins stated in a news release on Facebook that “Community involvement was critical in the agency’s ability to make a swift arrest in Davis’ homicide.”
