Police searching for man charged in death of wife, stepdaughter

Sanford police on Tuesday were searching for a 54-year-old man charged in the death of his wife and 13-year-old stepdaughter, whose bodies were found inside a burning apartment.

Posted 1:37 p.m. Jul 14, 2015 — Updated 5:01 p.m. Jul 14, 2015

SANFORD, N.C. — Sanford police on Tuesday were searching for a 54-year-old man charged in the death of his wife and 13-year-old stepdaughter, whose bodies were found inside a burning apartment.

Billy Jo McLean, of 916 Clark Circle, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Calandra McLean, and her daughter, Tashonna Cameron.

Firefighters responding to Clark Circle at about 1:30 p.m. Monday found the bodies inside the family apartment, which sustained smoke and minor fire damage, a police chief said.

No other information about their deaths has been released. Family members said Tuesday that they are concerned for the safety of 17-year-old Tobias McLean's, who is Calandra McLean's son. They believe the teen is with Billy Jo McLean. Police would not comment on Tobias McLean's whereabouts.

Sadie Goodloe, Calandra's sister, said the couple had been having marital issues and that he did not have a good relationship with his stepchildren. Police said Billy Jo McLean was last seen driving a silver 2001 Ford Windstar van.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Sanford Police Department at 919-777-1051.

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the cause of the fire and the deaths.

Neighbors described McLean and her daughter as kind people who kept to themselves.

"The kids were always smiling, laughing," neighbor Kayla Alston said. "To us, it's just like, what happened? What did we miss? It's a hurtful time because nobody, none of us out here expected that."

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