Reward Increased in Fremont Mother's Slaying

Goldsboro, N.C. — Wayne County authorities on Wednesday doubled the reward for information leading to an arrest in the slaying of a Fremont woman  last week.

Silvia Morales Benitez, 28, was shot to death in her home at 1273 Black Creek Road on March 3. Her 7-year-old daughter came home from school and found her, and the woman's 3-year-old son was in the house unharmed, authorities said.

Morales' husband was working on a farm across the road from the family's home at the time of her death, authorities said.

An autopsy determined that Morales was killed by a gunshot to the head. Authorities are unsure of a motive in the slaying, saying nothing was missing from the home.

Wayne County authorities are offering a $6,000 reward in the case, up from the $3,000 initially offered.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 919-731-1481 or Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255.