NC Wanted: Hobgood community continues search for murder suspect

A Hobgood man was approached by three men asking for help in finding a drug house on Nov. 24, 2006. The men persuaded Wilbert Caine, 58, to speak with the owner.

Posted 2:52 a.m. Oct 18, 2015 — Updated 2:52 a.m. Oct 18, 2015

HOBGOOD, N.C. — A Hobgood man was approached by three men asking for help in finding a drug house on Nov. 24, 2006. The men persuaded Wilbert Caine, 58, to speak with the owner.

Investigators said Caine obliged and was later found dead at the scene.

“Mr. Caine obliged and approached the owner of the residence, Clifton Holiday, and said somebody was outside to see him,” said Maj. Bruce Temple of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said when Caine went in, the three men went around back. They entered the house, and at least one man pulled a gun.

Officials said Caine was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“This case has been extremely frustrating, and we’ve got a community down there that would love for us to have somebody in jail,” Temple said. “Anybody capable of murdering anybody, shouldn’t be amongst us. There’s a special place for them, here and after.”

Investigators said they believe the murder was the result of a botched robbery. The homeowner—Holiday—was a man with a criminal record, who was violating parole.

“This man’s got convictions for drug activity at a household with a local reputation for drug sales,” Temple said.

Caine’s family has been waiting nine years for answers.

“He [Holiday] never came forward and said anything,” Cain’s daughter, April, said. “Just said the he didn’t see the person and he don’t know who it was. He don’t have any answers to tell anybody.”

Anyone with information about the murder of Caine is asked to call 1-866-43-Wanted.

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