North Carolina Stepmother Charged With Murder of Teen Who Vanished in 2015
Authorities in Robeson County, North Carolina, have arrested the stepmother of Sara Nicole Graham, 18, who disappeared more than 11 years ago while heading to a morning shift at a Walmart in Pembroke, charging her with first-degree murder in a case where the victim's body has never been found. Two of the stepmother's sons face related charges for allegedly helping conceal the crime, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.
Authorities in Robeson County, North Carolina, have arrested the stepmother of Sara Nicole Graham, 18, who disappeared more than 11 years ago while heading to a morning shift at a Walmart in Pembroke, charging her with first-degree murder in a case where the victim's body has never been found. Two of the stepmother's sons face related charges for allegedly helping conceal the crime, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.
Charges Filed Against Three Suspects
Connie Graham, of Fairmont, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder, altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence, and two counts of felony conspiracy. She was denied bond at her first court appearance. Her sons, Bobby Matthew McLellan and Luke Locklear, both of Lumberton, were also taken into custody. McLellan faces charges of accessory after the fact, felony conspiracy, and evidence tampering. Locklear is charged with felony conspiracy and evidence tampering. Both men are being held on $1 million secured bonds.
Disappearance and Legal Path to Murder Charge
Sara Graham vanished on Feb. 4, 2015, after leaving her home around 6:30 a.m. She never arrived at work. Deputies found her van abandoned in a field near Interstate 95 later that day. Investigators have not recovered her body. Earlier this month, a Robeson County judge formally declared Graham dead following more than seven years of absence, a legal step that cleared prosecutors to pursue a homicide case. Authorities have declined to specify what evidence prompted the arrests, citing the active court proceedings.
Sheriff, Family Speak After Decade of Uncertainty
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, who made the case a priority upon taking office in 2018, said investigators never stopped working it despite the elapsed time. He said he hopes the arrests provide some measure of comfort to Graham's family, adding that those responsible "did not outrun the pursuit of justice." Sara Graham's mother, Catherine Armenta, said through her attorney that the past 11 years have been tremendously difficult and that not a day passes without her family thinking of Sara. She called the earlier legal declaration of death incredibly painful but necessary, and renewed the family's appeal for anyone with information about Sara's whereabouts to come forward.
FBI Reward Still Active
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the recovery of Sara Graham's body. The case involves the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and county prosecutors. No trial date has been announced.