NC Wanted: Looking for clues to downed trees in cyclist's path

Hicks hit a 60-foot pine tree that was across the road. Someone had cut it down. After 18 years, the question of who and why persists.

"We determined there had been several trees cut," said former Granville County Sheriff David Smith. "Pine trees, probably about 22 to 26 inches in diameter."

Smith said the tree was deliberately cut so that it would fall across the road.

Denise Hicks, Pete's wife, had planned a 40th birthday party for him on the night of his death. She said he'd never seemed happier.

"He had built his dream bike," she said. "He had always wanted to build his own motorcycle, and he had actually done that."

She believes strangers killed her husband.

"We deserve to know, and the person that did it should be held responsible," she said.

Authorities say the person responsible probably lives nearby.

"The person we are looking at is pretty much a local person," Smith said. "We feel like there was more than one person involved. We feel like it was maybe two, three or several people involved."

Anyone with information about the trees or Hicks' death is asked to call 1-866-439-2683.