The Northampton County Sheriff's Office is intensifying its efforts to solve the June 2012 murder of Crystal Bell.
As this effort begins, Captain Chuck Hasty says, “We are looking at all available suspects. All people are considered suspects. With new eyes, we are following up on all leads.”
He declined comment on why the case has gone unsolved for more than two years, but believes motive in the case may be jealousy, although he declined to elaborate. “That's just my gut feeling.”
The sheriff's office reported at the time that Bell, then 29, was found to shot to death the afternoon of June 24 at an abandoned house off Macon Price Road.
She was found on the back deck as firefighters were responding to a vehicle fire there.
“I think the fire was to conceal evidence or cover up evidence,” Hasty said.
The governor's office last year announced a reward of $5,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.
“The case is still active,” Hasty said. “We're interviewing potential witnesses and reviewing evidence sent to the lab. Leads continue to come in and we follow up on then.”
Asked about a WRAL report last year that reportedly ties the crime to an Enfield man, Hasty said, “We're looking at all people, all suspects.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff's office at 252-534-2611.