Rocky Mount man charged in wife's death

Jihad Hamdan, 26, surrendered to authorities Saturday night after police were called to a condominium at 244 Pintail Lane, where they found Alia Harvi Odeh, 23, stabbed.

Investigators said the couple was married but "apart" at the time of the stabbing. They have not released a motive for the crime.

Sources say police responded to a domestic disturbance call at the home Friday night, and neighbors said they heard screams around 10 p.m. Saturday from who they believe was Odeh's mother.

"We started hearing yelling – it sounded female – and my husband got up and looked out the front door and noticed that – I believe it was the young lady's mother yelling hysterical," said Sally Jones, who lives next to the couple.

Jones said the couple and their three young children moved into the home about six months ago and that the family was nice and pleasant.

Neighbors said they believe the children – all under age 6 – were home at the time of the crime.

Hamdan, who was being held without bond in the Nash County Jail Monday, worked at a local convenience store with his wife's brother.

The brother said Monday that he was unaware of any marital problems and that he never knew Hamdan to be violent with his sister.

One of Odeh's last Facebook posts in January asked friends: "If I died tomorrow, what is the one thing you would always remember about me?"

Her husband's response: "Your beautiful heart. I love you always and forever, you're my first love and my everything."