Autopsy: Durham priest was strangled

An Anglican priest from Durham who was found dead in a state park in Orange County this summer was strangled, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The report on the examination of Kent Torrey Hinkson's body also found that blunt force trauma to the head might have also contributed to the 71-year-old's death. It also noted he suffered blunt force trauma to the chest.

Investigators found Hinkson's body Aug. 9 in Eno River State Park, less than a week after his family reported him missing.

Matthew John Reed, 36, of Raleigh, faces a charge of murder in the case.

Investigators haven't commented on a motive for the crime, but search warrants indicate Reed admitted to killing Hinkson during a meeting on Aug. 4 when Reed tried to blackmail him.

Reed led police to Hinkson's body, which had a belt around the neck, according to court documents.

He is being held without bond in the Orange County Detention Center.