ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies on Friday investigated the death of Shelia Godfrey, 53, whose body was found in her home, and are looking for a man seen driving her sport utility vehicle.
Godfrey, who lived at 175 Lyerly Pond Road off Faith Road in Rowan County, appeared to have been dead since the night before.
The victim’s SUV, a white 1987 Chevrolet S10 Blazer, was found at the Super Speedwash on Avalon Drive in Salisbury, detectives said.
A white man was seen on video operating the SUV Thursday night and authorities are searching for him.
Channel 9 saw that Godrey’s mailbox was still open Saturday with mail inside, and the lights in her house are still on.
“It’s hard to comprehend because this is a real close-knit neighborhood,” said Mickey Miller, a neighbor. “You feel safe here.”
Other possible clues continue to surface
James Lambert said he found a cellphone Friday morning while on his usual run through the neighborhood
Lambert said didn’t know it belonged to Godfrey.
“I found a phone on Friday morning,” Lambert said. “I had no idea, while I was looking at her yard, that she was probably laying deceased just inside the door.”
Channel 9 learned that Godfrey was a mother and a grandmother.
Rowan County deputies are not yet calling it a homicide. Instead, the death is under investigation.
Anyone with information about the potential witness is asked to contact Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Rowan County communications at 704-216-8500.
Channel 9 is pushing investigators for more information.
Cox Media Group
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