Mother Urges Public For More Info About Daughter's Murder

MOORE COUNTY, N.C. — The mother of a local murder victim made a tearful plea for justice.

Marnita Bynum was found dead in the trunk of her car along a Richmond County road two weeks ago. Autopsy results show she was strangled.

Authorities have conducted a number of interviews, but no arrests have been made.

"If you know anything, don't protect nobody. Help me find my baby's murderer," said Jacquelyn Carter, Bynum's mother.

Authorities in Moore and Richmond counties said they have a number of suspects, but they do not have enough to charge anyone with the crime.

"I am speaking to whoever did this. I'm not mad at you. I just want to know why," Carter said.

Bynum was the wife of Lee County pastor Melvin Bynum. He has not been named as a suspect in the case. Documents show Melvin Bynum filed for divorce this summer, and investigators believe their marital problems included domestic abuse.

"My daughter died two deaths. Her spirit was killed. Her soul was killed before her murder ever happened," Carter said.

Carter said her daughter tried to save her marriage, but in the end, accepted it was over.

"Remember, Marnita lives in me. She has a story and it will be told," she said.

Authorities are still waiting for forensic results from the State Bureau of Investigation.