$25K reward offered in Evans murder case
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on July 23, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce gives several fliers to the owner of Fremont Pharmacy, Keith Stewart, advertising a $25,000 reward in the investigation of the Evans murder case.
FREMONT -- A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered in the murder investigation of former Fremont Mayor Floyd Anthony "Andy" Evans.
Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce beat the pavement Wednesday, going door to door and passing out yellow fliers at Fremont businesses noting the reward that is being offered to anyone with information that results in an arrest in the case.
On June 16, a family member found Evans shot to death in a garage on his property at 129 Evans Farm Road. Evans, former mayor of Fremont and president of Evans Farms Inc., died one day before Father's Day and just two days shy of his 66th birthday.
An autopsy performed by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that Evans died from a gunshot wound. Pierce ruled Evans' death a homicide shortly after.
The case -- now in its sixth week -- has resulted in upward of $25,000 in donations, provided by family members and friends. The cash reward will be provided to anyone who has information that leads to an arrest in the case. Pierce said he hopes someone will come forward with information that can push the case forward.
"No amount of information is too small," Pierce said. "We are turning all stones.
"We are continuing to work this investigation. We will continue to work until all leads are exhausted and an arrest is made. We are asking the public to help us in any way that they can."
Evans, who served as town mayor from 1998 to 2003, is remembered by town officials, residents and friends as a forward-thinking leader who made a difference as an elected official and a farmer.
The death of Evans has gripped the northern Wayne County town of nearly 1,250 residents.
"This is something that just does not happen in the town of Fremont," said Barbara Aycock, Fremont town administrator. "This is something that happens in larger cities."
Evans was a lifelong farmer who served in several leadership positions in Fremont, including Fremont United Methodist Church. He was a member and past master of Masonic Home Lodge No. 613, a member of the Wayne Community College board of trustees from 2007 until 2015, and served with the N.C. Jaycees and the Wayne County Young Farmers.
The last time the town of Fremont had a murder was in 2011 on New Year's Day at the Bentwood Court mobile home park. Teresa Pierce Harrelson was shot three times by her live-in boyfriend, Honorio Grajales. Grajales was charged with second-degree murder.
Anyone with information about the death of Evans is asked to contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 919-731-1128 or 919-731-1480, the sheriff's office tip line at 919-705-1862, the SBI tip line at 1-800-334-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255. Texts can also be sent to Crime Stoppers at 919-222-4230.
Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to a felony arrest. Callers remain anonymous and a cash reward is provided if an arrest results in charges.