Body in burning house leads to murder charge

Spring Lake, N.C. — A Spring Lake man was arrested early Friday and charged with killing a man whose body was found Thursday morning inside a burning house, authorities said.

Pressley Parks, 26, was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bond in the Harnett County Detention Center.

Firefighters with the Anderson Creek Fire Department were battling a small fire at 30 Appaloosa Drive, off N.C. Highway 210, when they found the body of William Frank Smith Jr., 49.

The cause of Smith's death hasn't been released, but investigators determined it was a homicide.

Smith's Dodge Durango was missing from the residence, and deputies found the pickup abandoned a few miles away about two hours after his body was found.

Neighbors said Smith, an Army veteran, moved back into his boyhood home about a year ago after his parents died and lived alone with his dog.

Authorities didn't release any information about a possible motive in the slaying or what evidence links Parks to the crime.

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Latest Comments

I have known this young man for many years....sad. His parents were fine folks, and we all were attened the same church. Bill Jr. was very active in this church a few years ago. I have since moved from the area. What a shock to see this in the news...no one is safe in the world today....shame, shame.

gstephenson16
May 7, 2010 5:39 p.m.

What a shame!

Praying for those who loved him, and hope the dog is ok.

God bless.

RB