Edgecombe County Mayor, wife found dead at home

LEGGETT, N.C. (WTVD) –

Two men and one woman were charged in connection with the death of a mayor of a small town and his wife in Edgecombe County.

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Keith Earl Williams, 25, of Tarboro, was charged with first degree murder following the death of Leggett Mayor Gary Skelton and his wife, Jackie Skelton.

Watch the Friday press conference below:

Mitchell Brinson, 18, of Tarboro, is also charged with first degree murder.

A third person, Dakeithia Nesha Andrews, 30, of Rocky Mount, was charged with robbery on Saturday with a dangerous weapon.

The couple was found dead during a social check on Thursday night at their home, in block 7800 of NC 33 NW, in the small town of about five dozen people.

Michael Cloer of the Englewood Baptist Church at Rocky Mount was the pastor of the Skeltons for 15 years.

Cloer said Gary Skelton did not show up for a golf game on Thursday morning so people would worry.

"They came here because they wanted to get away from the commotion," said Cloer. "They bought a big house, renovated it, they loved entertaining the guests, they were just community people, outgoing and friendly."

Skelton has been described as a discreet leader.

"All these years, I've known Gary, he never mentioned that he was the mayor of a city, it 's not like that that it' s is, "said Cloer. "He lived in the country, he loved Leggett, he loved people there, he loved the simplicity of life."

Leggett City Commissioner Teresa Summerlin told Charlotte Observer that the authorities had been notified that Jackie had not been able to report for work Thursday morning at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, where she was an oncology nurse.

Gary Skelton was a banker at BB & T in Rocky Mount until his retirement. He was in his second term as mayor, news collection partner ABC11 the News & Observer reported.

Cloer said the Skelton cared, "really compassionate people."

"It was a senseless act," said Cloer. "There was no need there.If someone had a need instead of stealing them or hurting them – I'm not saying that this happened – but if they needed it, of course they would have helped them. "

The couple had three sons and six grandchildren.

"They will be missed so much," said Cloer. "Leggett will miss them, Rocky Mount will miss them, they will miss them immensely."

The bodies of the Skeltons will be sent back to Alabama for funerals.

The detectives continue to work actively and continue to seek help from the public. If you have any information about this incident, please call the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office at (252) 641-7911 or email Lieutenant Muse at [email protected].