Suspect admitted to Roanoke Rapids stabbings

Tony Maurice Gorham, 28, told investigators he robbed Maxine McCrary, 92, and Nancy Burgess, 65, in McCrary's home for $200, affidavits state.

Gorham, who was McCrary's neighbor, faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon in the May 7 slayings. He is being held in the Halifax County jail without bond.

Investigators seized several items from Gorham's home, at 325 U.S. Highway 158, and McCrary's home, at 311 U.S. 158, including a burgundy purse, a gold purse, an earring from inside McCrary's house and another earring found outside the home.

Detectives also collected a patch of brown hair from the yard. A telephone and cell phone and several swabs were also taken as evidence, the warrants indicate.

Roanoke Rapids police arrested Gorham Saturday and later charged his girlfriend, Valerie Mayo McGee, with accessory charges for allegedly helping to destroy and conceal evidence.

McGee, 33, was in the Halifax County jail under a $250,000 bond on two counts each of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and accessory after the fact to armed robbery.