Cold Case: Stanly County mother’s persistence motivates investigators to find son’s killer

ALBEMARLE, N.C. — A Stanly County mother’s motivation is helping to keep a cold case open nine years after her son was killed in his home nine years ago.

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Melinda Burleson said her youngest son, Jason, was witty, smart, compassionate and always by her side.

Jason was 27 years old when he was killed.

The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office said Jason was shot and bound to a chair in the basement of his home, near the Albemarle city limits.

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Investigators said Jason’s house was a place people gathered regularly, but they don’t know who was there that weekend.

“Somebody did it though, and somebody knows who did it,” Burleson said. “We need to do something about that, because I don’t want anybody else to go through what I’m going through. If you kill once, I don’t really know why you wouldn’t kill again. I mean, what stop you from killing again?”

Sheriff Jeff Crisco said at the time, investigators at the time worked every lead until they ran out.

He recently assigned new detectives to the case to see if new technology could enhance evidence.

“Even from five years ago, technology has completely changed, so we are hoping these labs can help us in various ways,” Crisco said.

Crisco is hoping almost a decade later someone will be compelled to come forward.

“Our kids aren’t supposed to go before us,” Crisco said. “It just not right. This was a senseless act. I want to see someone brought to justice for the right reason and also give that family closure.”

Burleson has been persistent over the years to get the case solved.

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Before COVID-19, she visited the sheriff’s office monthly and brought investigators a cake on Jason’s birthday to make sure investigators didn’t forget her boy.

“Because it’s his birthday and even though he’s gone, I had him,” Burleson said. “And I celebrate that I had him. And I will again this year.”

Crisco said the sheriff’s office will not stop looking for answers.

Call a detective directly at 704-986-3738 if you have any information.

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