Life is Cheap in Charloot Vape Pen Cheap

The victim was apparently tying to steal some already stolen Vape Pens from a wanna be Hispanic drug dealer. But it cost the 18 year old Isaiah Shorter his life. Shot dead in the park stairwell over a couple of $18.00 Vape Pens with CBD Weed.

The killer according to CMPD was 18 year old Jayden Enrique Almendarez-Vigil

Almendarez-Vigil Photo Courtesy MCSO

Mecklenburg County Judge Cecilia Oseguera set his bond at just $300,000.00. 

He remains behind bars. 

Cedar's Take:

The following details are both graphic and horrific. The illustrative image is AI generated based on the crime scene description. 

Hard facts that tell a story of youth violence for which the only correct justice is lifetime incarceration. Yet liberal judges and politicians will make excuses for these acts of violence. The perp in this case will likely see not more than 12 years in prison. This must change.

CMPD Affidavit:

On Wednesday, June 3,. 2026 officers in the Freedom Division responded to 3970 Bristol Drive, Westerly Hills Neighborhood Park, in reference to an assault with deadly weapon where one person had been shot. 

Upon officers arrival they located male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officer pronounced the victim deceased at 1131 hours. At that time, Homicide and Crime Scene investigators were requested and responded to the scene.

Detectives spoke with several witnesses who stated multiple people were standing in the park when they heard gunshots. 

Witnesses observed two subjects running into the woods away from the scene. Another subject ran to gray/silver sedan, got into the vehicle, and fled the scene. 

All are leaving the victim behind on the ground. Witnesses described the sedan as having red/pink Honda decal on the front. One witness stated he observed the Hispanic male running to the car, carrying something tucked under his shirt, and appeared to be holding something near his waistband.

The scene was neighborhood park along a stairwell adjacent to the baseball field. 

Nine Hornaday 9 mm Luger DCCs and two Hornaday 9 mm Luger DCCs were located at the top of the stairs and on the upper portion of the stairs. A black toboggan was located along the sidewalk near the stairs. A broken bookbag strap was located at the top of the stairwell. In the wood line, there was trail leading away from the park. 

Along the trail two matching Jordan shoes were located with one on the trail and the other farther down, slightly off the trail in the vines. Further down the trail was gold Vape pen case. Deeper into the woods was Louis Vuitton decal in the mud. A lack Louis Vuitton bag with broken strap was located in an empty creek bed further into the woods. Inside were vape pen cartridges that matched the one on the trail and several packages of suspected marijuana.

The victim was lying supine at the bottom of the stairwell with his head against the stairs and his feet lying straight, facing away from the stairs. 

The victim was a younger black male. The victim's black athletic shirt had: been partially cut off, and brown hooded zip-up had been partially removed. 

The victim was wearing dark blue sweatpants over black gym shorts, white socks, and blue Crocs: The victim had one defect near the base of his skull on the back of his head and second defect just below his neck on his back to the right of his spine. 

A brown Sprayground bookbag was wrapped around the victim' left arm Inside, there was school work and a CMS Chromebook with the victim's name on it. gold vape pen cartridge matching that of the one on the trail, and blue cell phone were also located inside the bookbag. An apparent projectile hole was observed through the top of the bookbag and the top of the back of the brown jacket

Officers on scene were able to locate a juvenile witness. Detectives spoke to him after he was voluntarily transported to the LEC. He stated he was Freshman at Harding University High School but left school early and was walking home. As he was walking through Westerly Hills Park, he saw an acquaintance he knew as "Zay" and his friend who was an unknown Hispanic male. He stated that both boys were also students at Harding University High School. Zay joked around about robbing someone who was going to meet them with some weed (vape) pens. 

Shortly after, another Hispanic male with backpack arrived and met the three boys who were already there. Initially, Zay spoke to the Hispanic male with the backpack about purchasing the vape pens, but then walked around and "bear-hugged" him from behind. The other Hispanic male, Zay's friend, then began to kick the boy with the backpack and removed it from his person. 

The witness said he and the boy with the backpack then ran away and heard several gunshots. He "assumed" Zay was dead, but stated he did not see the actual shooting. 

The witness and Zay's friend ran through the woods together and eventually split up so they wouldn't get caught by the police. The witness was soon located by the police and then cooperated.

Detectives were able to speak with an additional witness who was present for the homicide. His story was consistent with the juvenile witness. He added that the struggle happened at the top of the steps near a bleacher. He stated that once Zay "bear hugged" the shooter, he attempted to take the bag off the shooter, but the shooter grabbed his leg. At this time, he delivered knee strike, causing the shooter to move into stand - up position and for Zay to stumble backwards. At this time, he observed the shooter retrieve gun from his waistband and point it at Zay. 

This witness stated they all began to run away as the shooter began to fire his gun. As he was running into the woods, he continued to hear gunfire and could hear the bullets whipping by him.

Detectives were able to successfully download the contents of the victim's cell phone. Detectives reviewed the phone and discovered an Instagram conversation between the victim's account and "Twinsko". Detectives located a page linked to "Twinsko" with music videos on it. 

Further review of the videos and comments, detectives were able to locate the first name of who is believed to be "Twinsko" as Jayden. 

Detectives knew from both witnesses that the shooter attended Phillip O. Berry High School. Contact was made with CMS Police, who provided detectives with the name Jayden Enrique Almendarez Vigil (DOB 11/16/2007) as being current student. 

Detectives then located 2012 Honda Accord as being registered to Vigil in CJLEADS. 

Detectives went to Vigil's CILEADS listed address and located silver Honda Accord NC: WBD-3217 with red Honda emblem on the front of the vehicle.

Based on the following evidence, detectives believe there is probable cause for the arrest of Jayden Enrique Almendarez Vigil (DOB 11/16/2007) for murder. The witness's accounts of how the attempted robbery occurred. How they were fleeing away from Vigil once he retrieved firearm, and how Vigil was shooting at their backs as they were all running away. The evidence at the scene suggests Vigil fired majority of the time at the top of the steps, but then moved towards the bottom of the steps where the victim's body was found. 

The victim suffered two apparent gunshot wounds. One to the upper spine near the base of his neck and another to the back of his lower head. 

Lastly, Vigil did not remain on scene or attempt to report the incident to the police to provide statement.

Blue Print To Attack Shelby Officer Hyder

Within hours of the arrest of Cherrie Moore on charges of Breaking and Entering, Resisting Arrest, and Assult on a Police Officer, liberal crazies began posting a Ring Camera Video of the Arrest.

The Video shows Moore actively resisting arrest and the Shelby Officer responding. 

Liberal Activists quickly mounted an attack on the Shelby Police Department and Officer Hyden. 

This is their blue print.

Shelby PD Fires Officer

Shelby North Carolina Police Officer Karson Hyder has now been fired after on line video created outrage. 

In the video Hyder is seen striking Cherrie Moore at least 10 times while trying to arrest her for Breaking and Entering. 

Cherrie Moore Photo Via Cleveland County Sherriff's Office

The is not her first arrest for resisting or B&E.

According to local media 

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is launching an investigation after the video appeared to show officer Hyder straddling Moore and punching her repeatedly during an arrest Friday in Cleveland County.

A now-viral video from doorbell camera footage showed the officer throwing a woman to the ground and hitting her multiple times on Friday, May 29, while straddling her during an arrest.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said Saturday it had launched an investigation into an allegation of excessive force by a Shelby police officer, according a press release.

The investigation was reportedly requested by Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser and the Cleveland County District Attorney.

“We understand the community has questions and concerns, and we take that very seriously,” said SBI Director Chip Hawley.

“We ask the public to be patient as we conduct our work. A careful, thorough investigation takes time, and our priority is to gather all available facts so that informed decisions can be made based on the evidence.”

In a press conference shared on social media at 10 a.m. Saturday, Shelby police Chief Brad Fraser said the police officer seen hitting the woman had been fired.

The officer was previously placed on “administrative suspension.”

Fraser said the findings of an internal investigation were handed over to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations for an “independent review of any criminal violations.”

The video appears to show a woman, who was later identified as Cherie Moore, grabbing the officer’s arm at the beginning of the video before the officer was seen throwing her to the ground.

The woman appeared to say, “I don’t have a warrant. What are you doing?”

The officer then appeared to hit the woman several times while straddling her. The woman can be heard exclaiming in pain, and did not appear to fight back.

A second police officer was seen running into view of the camera and appears to be telling the Officer Hyder “Let go, let go, I got her, I got her, I got her.” Officer Hyder appeared to hit the woman despite the second officer telling him to stop.

Shelby North Carolina Police Officer Karson Hyder

The second officer is then seen helping the woman up as the other officer grabs her other arm. They then appear to place her in handcuffs.

The woman can be heard continuing to say that she does not have a warrant as officers are “commanding her to put her hands behind her back”.

A fourth officer appears, who is in plain clothes and not uniform, and continues to tell the woman to put her hands behind her back while the woman is heard saying she needs someone to call someone.

The woman can be heard asking the officers to call her father, saying she’s not on her medication. She could be heard asking for mental health help at least once in the video.

The video ends with the woman and four officers standing on a lawn. It was not immediately clear whether she was taken into custody, or what charges she may face.

One of the officers can be heard asking her to “stay still, stay still.”

The woman in the video was later identified as Cherie Moore and she was charged with breaking and enter, resisting arrest and assault on a government official, according to jail records.

Cedar's Take 

She's a well know repeat offender, she's caught in the act of committing a crime and she's actively Resisting. Look at the video she's grabbing at him, his vest, his equipment actively resisting while on the ground.

The Shelby SOP continuum of force is "Minimal amount of force necessary to achieve compliance " Which is pretty subjective. First few hits are fine and next three maybe and rest of the ten total that's a little much but the Officer ain't counting he's just triying to get her to comply. 

The Chief bending over to public pressure to fire Office Hyder before the SBI reviews the case is pretty sad. 

The "Second Officer" yelling let go and the question is he telling Hyder to let go or rather the suspect Moore who is till holding on to the Officer's shirt to let go. Hyder never lets go of the suspect and the 2nd Officer stops saying let go. Then they and a 3rd Officer still struggle to get Moore to comply and into the cuffs

Was it excessive? Perhaps but just because it looks excessive doesn't mean it is so. 

Look at the video she's grabbing at him, his vest his equipment actively resisting.

And here's a reminder. 

Shelby has just 72 Officers. The death of one is personal. The villainization of another is also personal.

People outside of Shelby, North Carolina are either forgetful or unaware of the murder of Shelby Officer Tim Brackeen in 2016 for which a black man Irving Fenner was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

They may have also forgotten about Antonio Dontre Brooks. In 2023 Brooks opened fire on a Shelby Officer striking his police cruiser several times. Brooks was eventually arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, discharging a firearm into an enclosure, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Update:

North Carolina SBI has charged Officer Hyder with ASSAULT INFLICT SERIOUS INJURY and he has turned himself in to the Cleveland County Sherriff's Office. He has posted a $10,000.00 Secured Bond.

Black Child Found Hanging From a Poplar Tree

 She was just 16, CMPD says she committed suicide. Beautiful girl heartbreaking news.

Local media won't touch the story, CMPD is on Mute. Only the way out there "Black News" and others are posting about it so why the hush voices?

Juliana Nzita, a 16-year-old African American girl from Charlotte, North Carolina, was found dead on church property after being reported missing in late April. Local police have already classified her death as suicide.

Authorities said Nzita was reported missing on April 28, 2026, according to The North Carolina Beat. Her family searched for her while community posts and tips spread across social media. She had been living in North Carolina after originally moving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On May 8, 2026, community volunteer Kenneth Tolbert, known as “Mufasa,” said he came across what appeared to be the body of a teenage girl hanging from a tree near West Sugar Creek Road on property linked to The United House of Prayer for All People.

Tolbert said he quickly alerted nearby church members and then contacted police. He later left the scene due to a prior commitment. He also provided video footage showing a small blue chair under a tree and a rope above, with the girl’s feet still close to the ground. A church member reportedly said the area had been checked the day before and saw nothing unusual.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department records confirmed Nzita was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m. on May 8, 2026, in the 4200 block of West Sugar Creek Road. The report documented the location and initial findings.

Police classified the death as suicide in their official notes. Investigators also said they did not receive a response from Nzita’s family when contacted. The church did not release any public statement.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) report noted she was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m. on May 8 in the 4200 block of West Sugar Creek Road. No signs of foul play were publicly reported at the time, and investigators cited evidence consistent with suicide including a tipped over chair. No mention of suicide note or social media posts.

Case Overview

• Disappearance: Juliana went missing from her home on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Her family and community volunteers searched for her for ten days.
• Discovery: On Friday, May 8, 2026, a community volunteer and his service dog discovered her body in a wooded area on the property of The United House of Prayer for All People church, located on West Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte.
• Official Ruling: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigated the scene and officially ruled her death a suicide.
• Community Context: Reports shared by advocates and local independent news outlets, such as The North Carolina Beat, noted that Juliana had allegedly been dealing with severe bullying at school before her disappearance.

Public Reaction

Her sudden loss has led to a profound void for her loved ones, who remember her as a gentle and caring soul. Because of the sensitive nature of her discovery, her passing has also ignited widespread public concern on social media. While community members and advocates continue to discuss the case online and demand transparency, local figures emphasize supporting her family with compassion and avoiding the spread of unverified claims. 

Cedar's Take:

I can't imagine anyone killing themselves at 16. Black or White and really have a hard time with the hung herself from a tree. I honestly I don't know is Black suicide a thing? 

Life In Charloot Is Cheap

This week Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather decided to pled the First Degree Murder Charge against a violent felon named Gregory Dowana down to Voluntary Manslaughter with a minimum prison sentence of 6 1/2 years. 

Given credit for the his time already served Gregory Dowana will be released back on the streets of Charlotte in May of 2031. Yes murder in Charlotte is just a five year prison gig. Life indeed in Charlotte is cheap.

Of course this didn't please the victim's family who would undoubtedly like you to think of Des-Mon Thompson age 34 as a nice young man with his whole life ahead of him.

The reality of course is that Thompson was probably more like his most recent mugshot.

According to CMPD Thompson and Dowana were known to each other and had run ins before. 

On the night of Saturday February 8, 2025 Thompson and Dowana crossed paths again. Thompson at 6 foot 2 towered over the one foot shorter 5 foot 2 Dowana. They obviously were not friends when they had words at the crowded  "Walker's Express" referred to as the "To Go" in the CMPD reports.

From the CMPD Press Release:

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive in the Metro Division.

On Saturday, February 8, shortly before 6:00 p.m., officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon with injury call for service in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive. The male victim left the scene in a private vehicle before officers arrived. He was brought to Atrium Health Mercy with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command also assisted.

Charlotte, N.C. – (Sunday, February 9, 2025) – The victim in this case has been identified as Des’mon Thompson, 34. The victim’s family has been notified of his death.

On Sunday, February 9, 2025, Metro Division patrol officers arrested Gregory Dowana, 29, for his involvement in this case. He was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to speak to detectives. At the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Dowana was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives have charged Dowana with the following:

• Murder

Thompson’s family has been notified of the arrest.

This was not Dowana's first rodeo. In fact he had been arrested just a month earlier for New Year's Eve threats made via cellphone to another Charlotte man named Jack Collins. 

According to that arrest warrant Dowana called Collins stating that he would kill Mr. Collins or anyone from his side of the family.

Dowana was arrested on January 15 on the make threat charges and released less than 24 hours later on an unsecured bond. 

The night of the shooting and murder.

CMPD Affidavit:

On February 8, 2025, at 1741 hours, officers responded to the To Go gas station at 3416 Freedom Drive in reference to an assault with deadly weapon with injury. 

The victim, Des'mon Thompson, left the scene before officers arrived and went to Atrium Health Mercy. He had multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased by Dr. Zauner at 1842 hours. 

The suspect, Gregory Dowana, remained on scene to speak with officers. The case is being investigated as a murder under Complaint #20250208174102.

Detectives reviewed video from the security cameras at the incident location It shows the victim in the store at the counter and then go outside to black Hyundai Elantra. He interacted with the driver of black Jaguar, later identified as Gregory Dowana, in the parking lot before going back into the store. 

He picked up drink can and approached the register. The Jaguar pulled up to a gas pump, and the victim watched. He appeared to become jittery. The victim paid for merchandise at the register, and the suspect entered the store. 

The two interacted further, and the victim walked towards the door. He stopped and talked with the suspect. The suspect sprayed the victim in the face with something. The victim pulled gun from under his left arm and retreated down an aisle. 

The suspect pulled gun and shot.in the direction of the victim. He had a gun in each hand. The victim ran out of the store with something in his hand. The suspect followed and shot out of the front door in the direction of where the victim ran. He reloaded one of his guns with new magazine. 

The victim entered the passenger side of the Hyundai Elantra after the passenger moved to the driver's seat. The victim appeared to-be bleeding from the leg. The suspect went back into the store and made phone call on his cellphone. There were numerous people in the store when the incident occurred.

Detectives spoke with multiple witnesses. They advised that the victim and the suspect appeared to know each other and were friendly at first, but then they started arguing. The suspect sprayed the victim with pepper spray and then pulled outa gun and shot at the victim, even as he ran from the store. 

The victim fell as he was trying to get to his vehicle. Two of the witnesses believed that the victim had firearm and fired back at the suspect.

The person who drove the victim to the hospital told detectives that the suspect had been harassing her for an extended period of time. The victim and suspect had verbal argument in January 2025.

Crime Scene search collected discharged cartridge casing of two different calibers in the area where the suspect was seen shooting in addition to numerous projectiles and pieces of copper jacketing inside and outside the store.

Crime Scene Search also collected two handguns and rifle as well as extra magazines and ammunition from the suspect's vehicle.

There was no damage or fired evidence to indicate that the victim fired weapon There was not another firearm located on scene or in the victim' vehicle.

Based on these facts, I request a warrant for Gregory Deddeh Dowana for the murder of Des'mon Thompson.

Here's were things get problematic. The African American Community in Charlotte is a culture of violence. This behavior is accepted as normal. Six PM on a Saturday night some homeboy disrespects you, so you put him is his place and tell him about his momma and then he pulls out a weapon and you smoke his ass.

In Black Charlotte everyone has guns and no one has any self-control.

The people who make up Black Charlotte think this is normal and the jury that would hear the case would clearly feel the same way. Not one Black Juror could vote to convict this guy because they have all accepted that the African American Community is in fact a Culture of Violence, accepting criminality and gun play as normal.

DA Merriweather knows this and that no Charlotte Jury would convict the likes of Gregory Dowana based on the fact that Thompson had a weapon. Never mind Dowana's prior arrests or that Thompson was clearly retreating, Merriweather knowns the chances of getting a conviction were slim and none. 

It would not matter to Black Charlotte that Dowana had 3 guns in his possession at the time of the incident. 

The Sentence:

In consideration of sentencing Judge William T. Stetzer accepted the following aggravating factors:

8. The defendant knowingly created great risk of death to more than one person by means of weapon or device which would normally be hazardous to the lives of more than one person. 

12. The defendant committed the offense while on pretrial release on another charge. 

13a.The defendant committed an offense and knew or reasonably should have known that person under the age of 18 who was not involved in the commission of the offense was in position to see or hear the offense. 

Additionally the judge found that "the Court makes no findings of any mitigating factors".

Mecklenburg County Judge William T. Stetzer still sentenced the defendant to a minimum of 80 months 6.66 years. Dowana was given credit for 461 days so he'll send right around five years in prison.

Cedar's Take:

As much as I believe that violent felons like Dowana will re-offend and that this felon will in fact kill again due to his short man issue, DA Merriweather was correct in offering a plea deal. There is no way a "jury of peers" would convict a Black Man of this crime in our city because they believe that violence is just a fact of life for Black Charlotte. 

Still incarceration saves lives. 

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles National Police Week Fallen Officer Smith

From Mayor Vi Lyles:

"This week is National Police Week – a time to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of @CMPD  and law enforcement agencies across the country.

We also remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty and stand with the families who carry the legacy forward.

Thank you for your service and commitment to our community."

If you were to ask her, without a script she'd be unable to name one fallen CMPD Officer.

My requests for help repairing the Officer Robert L. Smith memorial has been met with crickets from the Mayor's Office.

And crickets as well from CMPD Chief Patterson. However, CP understands she has been made aware of the concern. Officers I've spoken to and some in command were not aware of the situation but have offered to help.

Since CP first made mention of the memorial someone has removed the faded photo and the plastic cover.

However, this uncovered a larger issue. At one point the memorial had a bronze relief image of Officer Smith. Then at some point the bronze image was removed and the make do fix installed. Shoddy work by someone perhaps with the county. Now the memorial has four screw holes in it that were not necessary had the bronze image been replaced.

Charlotte citizens are happy to write the check to fix this but still waiting to hear from Meck Park and Rec.

CP's Take: If anyone has a suggestion as how to move this effort to repair the market along I'd appreciate the assist.

CedarPosts@gmail.com

CP Update: With the help of CMPD Officers, and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell and others, Mecklenburg County Park and Rec staff stepped up and promised action to make the needed repairs.

Charlotte FOP Lodge 9 President Dan Redford has also contacted CP to offer assistance.

It might be a few weeks but Park and Rec staff promised results. We will stay on it and let you know.

The Murder of Isabella Stroupe

Warning: The details of this homicide are disturbing. 

Last week, police were called to an apartment off Albemarle Road, where inside - they found the body of 19-year-old Isabella Stroupe. 

Isabella Mary Alexander Stroupe

Her boyfriend, Thomaz Hamilton, called 911 saying she stopped breathing.

According to court records - police found her in the apartment with minimal clothing and bound to the bed with a towing strap. There were multiple injuries on her body. 

Hamilton told police the two were having sex when Isabella had a suspected heart attack.

But the medical examiner did an autopsy, ruled it a homicide and said Isabella suffered multiple broken and fractured bones and stab wounds -- and that Isabella was likely being tortured over a period of several months. 

The medical examiner said she would not have been able to consent to sex

Thomaz Hamilton was arrested and charged with rape and first degree murder. 

While searching the apartment, CMPD found a knife wrapped in cellophane with suspected blood, a baseball bat, sword, and broken cell phones. A blood stained mattress & clothes were also found.

Hamilton will have another court hearing on May 2, 2006, and for now will be held without bond.

CMPD Affidavit:

On 05/01/2026 at approximately 0335 hours, Hickory Grove officers were dispatched to the QT located at 6721 Albemarle Road. The caller, Thomaz Kenon Hamilton (Hamilton) (B/M, 02/22/2002), advised that the victim (his girlfriend), Isabella Mary Alexandria Stroupe (Stroupe) (W/F, 10/30/2006), stopped breathing. 

Hamilton advised that Stroupe was at their residence located at 6627 Yateswood Drive, Apartment E. Officers and Medic arrived at the apartment and located Stroupe inside the residence. Medic 68 (Alerand Partow, 11672) pronounced Stroupe deceased at 0343 hours. 

Homicide and Crime Scene were requested and responded to the scene.

Detectives conducted search of Hamilton's residence, pursuant to search warrant. Inside, detectives and Crime Scene located Stroupe in bedroom with minimal clothing and bound with tow strap. Multiple injuries were noted on Stroupe. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office was contacted and Stroupe was transported for an autopsy. 

A search of the residence revealed knife wrapped in cellophane with suspected blood, baseball bat, sword, multiple cell phones (some broken apart), clothing with suspected blood and mattress with suspected blood.

Detectives conducted voluntary interview with Hamilton. Hamilton advised that he was in dating relationship and lived with Stroupe. 

Hamilton advised that during the incident, he was using his penis to have vaginal intercourse with Stroupe when she had suspected heart attack. Hamilton advised detectives that no one else lived in the apartment and no one else was present at the time of the incident.

On 05/04/2026, detectives were contacted by forensic pathologist with the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office. Detectives were advised that Stroupe's cause of death was homicide and that she had multiple injuries including broken and fractured bones and stab wounds. Detectives were also advised that Stroupe was being tortured over period of several months and that Stroupe would have been physically unable to provide consent for vaginal sexual intercourse.

Based on the above facts and circumstances, there is probable cause to believe that First-Degree Murder and

First-Degree Rape occurred and that Thomaz Kenon Hamilton (B/M, 02/22/2002) committed those offenses.