Sex offender charged in Rowan Co. woman's 'brutal' death to face judge

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A registered sex offender who police have charged in connection with a 53-year-old Rowan County woman's death will face a judge Thursday.

Authorities arrested 50-year-old Donald Frye Tuesday afternoon. He is charged him with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

"I think we are elated that he is off the street,” said Chief Deputy Dave Ramsey.

(Frye)

Investigators said Frye was the man seen in surveillance pictures after the murder of Sheila Godfrey, and that he was quickly identified with the public’s help.

Godfrey was found dead Friday in her home on Lyerly Pond Road. Investigators said it appeared that she was beaten to death Thursday evening.

"I thought this was the safest place in the world, but I guess crime is everywhere,” said neighbor Murl Kidd, who has known Godfrey for 24 years.

(Godfrey)

Deputies found her car, a white 1987 Chevrolet -S10 Blazer, four miles away at a laundromat. They said Frye was driving the vehicle.

[IMAGES: Investigators release pictures of possible witness in Rowan Co. death investigation]

Frye is also accused of stealing Godfrey's debit card.

"(Credit cards) had been used in various locations between Ritchfield, Salisbury, Kannoplis and Mooresville, and we were able to come up with video images,” Ramsey said.

Officials have not released a motive but said the crime was not random, and that Frye knew Godfrey.

Frye is listed on the North Carolina Sex Offender registry and was recently released from prison after serving time on a probation violation. He was convicted in 1998 of taking indecent liberties with a minor and second-degree sex offense.

Investigators said Frye lived in a mobile home behind an adult video store owned by his father.

"She was a goodhearted woman,” Kidd said. “She was a good woman, a good neighbor. We watched out for each other."

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