Man Wanted in Ex-Wife's Slaying Surrenders

Allen Thomas Sr., 51, called his son from a wooded area in the eastern part of the county to arrange the surrender, Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said. Deputies picked him up at the end of McRae-Bronson Road, off Doc Brown Road, the sheriff explained.

Thomas had spent the past two days in the woods, going without food, water or his diabetes medication, Peterkin said.

Linda Shaw Thomas, 47, was stabbed 21 times early Monday after someone broke into her home east of Raeford, authorities said. She called 911 during the attack.

Linda and Allen Thomas had been divorced for 10 years, and she took out a restraining order against him last July to keep him from entering her home, authorities said.

Warrants charge Thomas with first-degree murder, breaking and entering and violating a domestic violence order. He was expected to be booked Wednesday evening into the Hoke County Jail after receiving treatment for dehydration and cuts.

The couple's two children, Allen Thomas Jr., 21, and Comecya Thomas, 20, made a public plea Tuesday for their father to surrender.

The foster children, who weren't injured, are staying with Linda Thomas' relatives, authorities said.