Missing teen who never showed for Walmart shift was killed by her stepmother, who then enlisted her own boys to help destroy evidence: Police

A North Carolina pistillate whose teenage stepdaughter went missing much than a decennary agone was charged with the girl's murder.

Connie Graham, 65, was arrested connected Thursday successful transportation with the presumed decease of her stepdaughter, 18-year-old Sara Graham, who was last seen alive successful February 2015. Sara Graham was declared dormant connected June 1; her assemblage has ne'er been found. WRAL reported that the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and the FBI worked unneurotic successful 2023 for a caller hunt of Connie Graham's home aft receiving caller leads connected Sara Graham's disappearance.

Police said Connie Graham's 2 sons, 42-year-old Bobby Matthew McLellan and 29-year-old Luke Locklear, were besides arrested and charged with conspiracy and altering oregon destroying evidence. McLellan was besides charged with accessory aft the fact.

According to the FBI, Sara Graham was past seen live connected Feb. 4, 2015. Police said she near the household location successful Fairmont, North Carolina, astir 6:30 a.m. successful a achromatic van to thrust to her occupation astatine Walmart. She ne'er made it to work, and the van was recovered abandoned successful a field.

Local ABC affiliate WPDE reported that Connie Graham, who is joined to Sara Graham's father, was employed arsenic a deputy with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office astatine the time. She was fired aft her stepdaughter went missing. Sara Graham's father, Hubert Graham, is besides a erstwhile lawman and is presently the main of the Rowland Police Department.

In North Carolina, a idiosyncratic tin beryllium declared legally dormant if they person not been heard from for 7 years. Hubert Graham told WPDE, days aft his girl was declared dormant astatine the petition of her biologic mother, that helium believed she was inactive alive.

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office said successful its announcement that officials were not releasing further accusation astir what led to the 3 arrests. The warrant for McLellan's apprehension stated that helium allegedly helped to dispose of quality remains. The warrant for Locklear's apprehension stated that helium allegedly "assist[ed] successful burning evidence."

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Connie Graham appeared successful tribunal connected Thursday and is being held successful the Robeson County Detention Center without bond. McLellan and Locklear are being held connected $1 cardinal bond. All 3 defendants are scheduled to look successful tribunal again connected July 2.

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for accusation starring to the determination of Sara Graham's body.