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Two arrested in death of 80-year-old Roxboro grandmother known as 'one of the sweetest ladies'

On Wednesday night, deputies said two people had been arrested, one being a juvenile and the other being 39-year-old Roger Wilkerson. Wilkerson was charged with murder in the death of Nancy Horton.

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By
WRAL Staff
ROXBORO, N.C. — An 80-year-old woman was killed in a home invasion in Person County.

Deputies were on the scene for hours early Wednesday morning investigating the home on Burlington Road in Roxboro, just across the street from Roseville Grocery.

On Wednesday night, deputies said two people had been arrested, one being a juvenile and the other being 39-year-old Roger Wilkerson. Wilkerson was charged with murder in the death of Nancy Horton.

Roger Wilkerson

Wilkerson was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying concealed pistol/gun, possession with intent to sell and distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of schedule III and IV, and resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer. Wilkerson was released on bond after being charged with breaking and entering in 2021.

Person sheriff Dewey Jones said juvenile petitions were taken out on the juvenile for murder and the breaking and entering of motor vehicles.

When family members went to check on Horton Tuesday night, they discovered she had been killed, according to Person County Sheriff Dewey Jones.

Jones said investigators believe Horton was killed between 7 p.m. Monday and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. An official cause of death has not been released.

Horton's car was stolen and was last seen driving around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, investigators said. The car was found just up the street from Horton's home and pulled into the woods.

Jones said there were car break-ins down the street from Horton's home on Monday night, but investigators cannot be sure they're tied to Horton's murder and car theft yet. Jones said investigators are hoping to get search warrants related to the crime on Wednesday.

Horton was known by neighbors and her church community as Nan, according to her pastor Mike Whitt at New Life Independent Baptist Church.

"She was one of the sweetest ladies we've ever known," he said.

Whitt said Horton has been a member of the church for the past 17 years.

"She was a great worker at our church. They were very faithful there, I can say this she was a great cook come homecoming time and those kinds of things. Just sweet, just a staple in this community," said Whitt.

The church held a service on Wednesday honoring Horton's life. Whitt told those in attendance that "we refuse to allow evil to win."

Many were still shaken by the senseless, heinous nature of the crime.

"It is unreal what the community is going through right now," said Richard Holeman.

Whitt said Horton's husband passed away about five years ago and they had two adult children and a handful of grandchildren.

"She was the greatest mom. She loved her grandchildren — the greatest grandmother. They were always with them anytime they could," he said.

Whitt said her death has left the community broken.

"It's so tragic. We can't wrap our minds around it. We're still in shock trying to put the pieces together," Whitt said. "We want to honor her. There is hope. She was a great Christian lady."

"Even as a pastor, the second I found you, you know, it's almost anger. It really resorts to almost anger to who could do this to such a wonderful person? She would have given everything ... this was senseless, uncalled for and horrible," he said.

"It's been tough. We are still trying to process it. [Tuesday] night was very tough for us when we heart it. [Wednesday] morning, it's been very tough to talk about it al little bit. We are trying to come to grips with it," said Whitt. "We want to know, this community to know and people to know we are going to be overcomers. Evil will not overcome in this situation."

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was also at the scene of the crime.

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