Saturday, January 29, 2005

Deputies still searching for clues

By Donna Swicegood

Still searching for clues in the deaths of an elderly Union Grove couple, deputies set up a roadblock on N.C. 901 on Thursday night to ask motorists if they remember anything about the previous Thursday that might be relevant.
"We're looking for anybody that might have seen anything that night or Friday morning, no matter how unimportant it might seem," said Lt. Stanley Watkins of the sheriff's office. "It might be important to us."
Earlier this week, Watkins said the sheriff's office is seeking information about a beige mid- to late-1980s model Dodge pickup seen at the home on Friday morning. He stressed that the person connected with this vehicle is not a suspect.
"We just want to see if they got an answer at the door and if they talked with anyone," he said.

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Autopsy: Couple was shot

By Donna Swicegood

A Union Grove couple found slain in their home Friday morning died of gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Autopsies conducted Saturday morning at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem concluded that James Powell, 75, and his wife, Delet Reid Powell, 71, were shot to death, said Lt. Stanley Watkins of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office.

Watkins said there were weapons in the house but "there were none we believe were used in the crime."

The couple was found around 9:30 a.m. Friday by their daughter, who had stopped by to check on them.

The Powells were found in the kichen of the brick home on West Memorial Highway in Union Grove.

Powell, who owned and operated stores in various parts of Iredell County, liked to restore old cars, particularly 1940s-era Fords.

Friends of the couple described the Powells as nice people who were willing to help out anyone who needed it.

Sheriff Phil Redmond was one of those who knew the couple personally and he said he was shocked by their deaths. "I've never known them to have any problems with anybody," he said Friday.

Watkins said the investigation is still in its early stages. "We're still going out and doing interviews with folks that knew them," he said Saturday afternoon.

The couple was last seen alive around 5 p.m. Thursday by a family member, and authorities are looking for anyone who may have seen anything unusual in the neighborhood between Thursday night and Friday morning when the bodies were discovered.

Watkins said anyone with information concerning the Powells can call the sheriff's office at (704) 878-3180.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Couple found dead

By Donna Swicegood

Neighbors in Union Grove were stunned Friday morning when a local couple was found dead in their home on West Memorial Highway.
James Powell, 73, and his wife, Ruth Delet, 62, were found inside their home by their daughter at about 9:30 a.m. Friday.
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into the deaths, and released few details Friday night.
"We're looking at it as a death investigation," said Lt. Stanley Watkins.
Watkins said authorities are not sure how the couple died, and are awaiting the results of an autopsy, which is scheduled for this morning.
The autopsies will be conducted at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
The couple was found insdie the kitchen of the brick house, which sits across the road from Myrtle Beach Golf in Union Grove.
As sheriff's deputies arrived Friday morning and crime scene tape was tied around the exterior of the house, residents stopped to see what had happened.
Clifton benge, who is retired from the Statesville Fire Department, said he was stunned by the deaths.
"It's unbelievable to think that something happened to both of them. They're the kind of people you thought would be around forever," he said.
Benge said he knew the Powells well, dropping by frequently to talk with James, who restored cars.
Benge last spoke to the Powells earlier this week when he drove by and saw James working on a truck body.
"We talked for about five or 10 minutes," he said.
Benge described Powell as a "super nice guy." He'd do anything for you. He was a nice all-around guy."
He said Delet was more of a homebody than her husband. "She was a good person," he said.