4-year-old boy finds mom dead at Statesville home; investigation underway

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Police in Statesville said the mother of a 4-year-old boy was killed early Saturday morning.

Neighbors told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty the little boy went to get help Saturday morning after he found his mother dead. They believe he got out of the back door of the home and then walked to the end of the street, where he alerted a neighbor.

In a news release, the Statesville Police Department said they were called to the home on Hickory Avenue just after 4 a.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they found the body of 33-year-old Shelbie Smith inside the home.

Kre Shonda lives right across the street. She shared video with Channel 9 showing police tape stretching across much of the property. Neighbors said police were out there for hours on Saturday and then investigators returned on Sunday to do more work.

“She was a good mom,” Shonda said. “She’s a good person. She just moved over here recently.”

Shonda said she would see Smith often after work while she was outside with her young son.

Just a couple doors away, the little boy would visit another neighbor’s child. That neighbor still can’t imagine the 4-year-old trying to get help for his mother in the middle of the night.

“It hurts. It’s sad,” he said. “I hope something gets solved. It’s scary.”

Police have begun an investigation into her death and have help from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Witnesses said they could see what appeared to have been drapes in the home that were torn down on the night of Smith’s death.

“It’s sad,” Shonda said. “I hate that it happened to her. But I’m so thankful that God seemed fit for this baby to still be here.”

Authorities have not said what caused Smith’s death, but on Wednesday, they confirmed they’re investigating the case as a homicide.

Investigators said earlier they were hoping to learn more from the autopsy, which was conducted Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3516.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Police search for attempted murder suspect who escaped custody in Monroe)

Police search for attempted murder suspect who escaped custody in Monroe

©2024 Cox Media Group