Body found at Raeford motel

Hoke County authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found Monday at a Raeford motel.

The body was in a room at the Raeford Inn, at 8290 Fayetteville Road, at about 9:20 a.m., Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said.

The man was identified as 58-year-old Jakir Mohammad Sheikh, but authorities haven't determined the cause of death. Peterkin said Sheikh had been reported missing on Friday.

The sheriff said there appeared to be signs of a struggle in the room, and Sheikh's car was missing. The car was described as a 2003 beige or gold four-door Dodge Stratus with Illinois license plate P684847.

"(He was) face down on the floor. Definitely sign of a struggle (and) ... blood," he said. "So, we were able to immediately know that we had a homicide."

Anyone who has seen the car or has any information about the case is asked to call the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office at 910-875-5111.