Woman charged with murder, arson after roommate found dead in burned Nash County home

Alayna Renee Sherrod, 59, of Bailey, was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson after the fire was reported at 7515 Strickland Road in Bailey on Tuesday morning.

A body was found in the house after firefighters extinguished the flames.

Chief Deputy Brandon Medina identified the victim as Marcelio Ponce-Gonzalez.

Medina said Wednesday that two children under the age of 10 were removed from the home before the fire started. But he did not say what relationship the two children were to Sherrod or Ponce-Gonzalez.

Ponce-Gonzalez's niece told WRAL News that he got the two children out and went back inside to get personal belongings.

Medina said Ponce-Gonzalez and Sherrod were not related, although they shared the mobile home.

Pedro Vargas said Sherrod had come to his house Tuesday morning, saying her home was on fire.

“This lady – I didn't know her – she came knocking on our door saying, ‘My house is on fire,’” Vargas said. “It was weird because she lives so far away. Her coming to our house was weird.”

WRAL News learned that Sherrod had bypassed other homes to get to Vargas' house, which was a block away.

“She looked scared,” Vargas said. “She had a Bible in her hand.”

Vargas’ family took her back to her home, where firefighters and deputies were working the scene.

Later, Vargas learned the fire was fatal.

"Just last night I found out there was a body involved,” he said Wednesday.

Ponce-Gonzalez's body was being sent to a medical examiner in Greenville to determine the cause of death.

Sherrod was being held with no bond on Wednesday. A court date was scheduled for June 13.

Anyone with information about the fire can call the Nash County Sheriff’s Office at 252-459-4121.