VANCE COUNTY — Allan Lassiter, 27, did not have a word to say when he arrived for court Thursday morning, except when asked if he murdered Angie Griffin.

"No, I didn't," Lassiter said.

Law enforcement officers from Vance and Franklin counties arrested Lassiter on his way home from work Thursday night.

Lassiter is described as a trusted family friend who is now accused of murdering the 24-year-old mother whosebones were found last month. Griffin had been missing since October, when she was last seen dropping her son off at a babysitter's house.

Sheriff's deputies are being tight-lipped about their investigation. They have not said a word about any evidence or a motive in this case.

Rumors abound, but the suspect's sister does not believe any of them.

"My brother may be ill-tempered, but there's no way he's a murderer. I don't care what anybody's saying," Tammy Edwards said.

""THEY SAID THEY FOUND EVIDENCE OF HIM BEING OVER THERE I RECON THEY DID FIND EVIDENCE, THEY WERE LIKE BROTHER AND SISTER."" -->Griffin's family is shocked by the arrest, but they believe authorities have their man.

Diane Griffin, Angie's mother, says she always thought her daughter knew her killer, and the man arrested for her murder fits that description.

"He's not who I thought he was," she said. "We always thought they were friends. I thought he would be her protector, not someone who would hurt her."

Lassiter had even come by the Griffin's home since Angie's death to console the family.

Lassiter is being held in the Vance County jail without bond. He is expected to be back in court on April 10.

The Vance County Sheriff would not say if more people would be arrested in this case because he said the investigation is ongoing.