Nearly a week after a female — reportedly a teenager — was found shot to death on Alex Benton Road in northern Sampson County, her name is still being withheld and the circumstances surrounding her death are still a mystery.
Sampson County Medical Examiner Dr. Carl Barr confirmed that the female died as a result of gunshot wounds. She was reportedly a recent graduate from high school in Johnston County. However, details about her death are still sketchy at best.
On Feb. 18, deputies were dispatched to assist emergency medical personnel with a deceased female on Alex Benton Road. Sheriff’s officials labeled the death “suspicious” in nature, noting only that “the deceased female victim had succumb to life-threatening injuries.” Outside of that statement released Friday, sheriff’s investigators have remained mum.
On Wednesday, Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith said the State Bureau of Investigation was working jointly with the Sheriff’s Office, which has not been given approval by SBI agents to release any information on the case.
Inmate death
The death of a 40-year-old inmate at the Sampson County Detention Center, found unresponsive of the floor in his cell Feb. 14, was reportedly due to a perforated ulcer, according to Dr. Barr.
Around 4:45 p.m. Feb. 14, a Detention Center officer discovered Anthony Ladon Chavious, 40, of 102 Sami St., Goldsboro, unresponsive on the floor in his cell. Basic life support measures were started, and emergency medical services were called to respond, however EMS was unable to revive Chavious.
“He had problems for years,” Dr. Barr noted of Chavious’ ulcer. “It had perforated once in the past and he had it repaired.”
Chavious was in the Sampson County Detention Center under a Sampson County child support charge. He was admitted to the Detention Center four days earlier, on Feb. 10, under a $500 cash bond. The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office initiated an internal review, which is standard in cases of inmate deaths.
“The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was made aware of the incident, but it is not anticipated that they will conduct an investigation as there were no signs of foul play or indicators of self-injury,” the county said in a statement at the time.
A message left for Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Pope regarding the status of the local investigation was not immediately returned.
Budget Inn probe
The Clinton Police investigation into the death of a local woman at the Budget Inn earlier this month is still “open,” police officials said Wednesday.
Stephanie Jarman, 42, of Fayetteville Street, Clinton, was found unresponsive Feb. 13 after emergency personnel responded to the scene. She was discovered by her boyfriend, who called 911 at 11:34 a.m. Police and EMS personnel were immediately dispatched and officers attempted CPR before EMS pronounced her dead.
While police were still investigating the matter, Dr. Barr said a combination of alcohol and some prescription medications likely contributed to Jarman’s death. He said there was evidence of heavy drinking, but also noted Jarman’s history with liver damage, which was a factor.
“She had bad cirrhosis,” the medical examiner noted.