Search intensifies for couple weeks after deadly shooting at Hickory furniture plant

HICKORY, N.C. — The search for a couple on the run after a deadly Caldwell County workplace shooting is intensifying.

Planes were seen on Tuesday searching a remote area of Wilson Creek for Eric and Tangela Parker. Tangela Parker is accused of killing her coworker, 51-year-old Phelifia Marlow, last month.

Police and federal marshals have been flying over the area looking for the couple’s gold-colored Honda CRV after investigators found Tangela Parker’s cell phone near an intersection in Colletsville.

“It’s kind of weird that it was found where it was found,” said Colletsville resident Andrew Wright.

He’s lived in Colletsville for more than 40 years. and told Channel 9 it’s possible someone could hide in the area but it would be challenging.

“Trying to hide that good -- as wanted as they are -- you’d have to come out and get some food somewhere,” Wright said.

Authorities said they have already spent hours flying over the area in hopes of finding the couple after Tangela was accused of shooting and killing a coworker at TCS Design in Hickory in January.

Channel 9 confirmed police have not seen any activity on the couple’s bank account or on any of their credit cards since the shooting.

Law enforcement has been checking all of the campgrounds in the area as well as flying over all vacation cabins looking for the couple’s SUV.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke with Tangela Park’s mother on Tuesday morning and asked if her daughter could survive the remote area in Caldwell County.

“Tangela is not very good as far as being outdoors,” Tangela Parker’s mother said. “The only outdoors stuff she did was being with her dog. I’d like to see her turn herself in. The worry is too much. I’m at a loss.”

Late Monday, federal marshals increased the reward from $5,000 to $10,000.

Family of woman fatally shot in Hickory offers $1,000 reward for suspects’ arrest

Cox Media Group