The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations is helping investigate after the Oakboro police chief’s niece was found shot to death.
"She was highly respected in the community," Joe Lowder told Channel 9.
As the Oakboro police chief, he has been around plenty of crime scenes. He never expected to learn Friday his niece, Amy Boger, was the center of one. A family member found her dead of a single gunshot inside her home.
"Everybody is just in shock. It hasn't set in yet," he said.
Stanly County Sheriff George Burris called her home a crime scene but won't say if he thinks Boger killed herself or was killed by somebody.
"I'm not ruling anything at this time. It's under investigation. This is a tragedy for the Oakboro community and the family," Burris said.
Pieces of crime scene tape are still around the home. The SBI has been assisting the Sheriff's Office and has sent five agents to work with county investigators.
Burris says he just sent more evidence to a state crime lab Tuesday for processing. Nobody has been charged with any crimes in connection with Boger's death and the sheriff wouldn't comment on whether they have a suspect.
"We just want to make sure everything is done properly so it may take a little bit because I'm not going to rush any investigation. I have too much respect for her and that family," Burris said.
Amy's estranged husband is the town's former chief of police. They have two kids.
"My heart bleeds for them," Lowder said.
The Rev. Dwight Mabry, who knew Boger for 39 years, says he feels like he lost his daughter. Both he and Lowder say Boger wasn't one who would have killed herself.
"Right now, there are just no answers. A lot of questions, no answers," Mabry told Channel 9.
Visitation for Boger is set for Thursday and her funeral will be Friday.
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