North Carolina – In a shocking case out of North Carolina, a 63-year-old man, identified as Marshall A., has been sentenced to 18 to 22 years in prison for the brutal murder of his 83-year-old father, identified as William A. Marshall committed the heinous act in February 2024, when he went to his father’s home and beat the elderly man to death before concealing the body under a tarp in the victim’s own backyard.
The tragic series of events began to unfold on February 22, 2024, when a concerned family member requested a welfare check from the sheriff’s office for William, who lived alone at his home. The elderly man was reportedly showing early signs of dementia, increasing the family’s concern for his well-being. Upon their arrival, deputies made a grisly discovery. After searching the property, they found William’s body hidden under a tarp in the backyard. An immediate examination confirmed that the elderly man had succumbed to blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Marshall was quickly identified as a person of interest in the shocking murder of his father. Law enforcement officers located him walking nearby shortly after discovering the body. He was taken into custody without incident and taken to the county’s detention facility.
The arrest brought to light disturbing details about the circumstances leading to William’s death. According to court documents, Marshall’s son, and the victim’s grandson, had visited the residence to check on his grandfather. Once at the residence, he encountered his father, who told him he also went to pay the “old man” a visit. Marshall then suspiciously advised his son not to uncover a tarp in the yard, misleadingly claiming it covered mere trash. The grandson, sensing something amiss, continued his search and eventually called 911. By the time authorities arrived, Marshall had fled the scene, seeking a neighbor’s help to escape to a nearby store as police vehicles approached.
During the sentencing, the emotional toll on the victim’s family was palpable. Family members, including the victim’s grandson who had first sought to check on him, spoke about the profound impact of the crime. They highlighted the devastating choice made by Marshall to prioritize drugs over his family, leading to irreversible consequences.
The case underscores the harrowing effects of drug abuse and domestic issues within families. The sentence handed down by the judge reflects the severity of the crime and the community’s expectation for justice in the face of such tragic domestic violence. As the family grapples with their loss and the betrayal by one of their own, the community and law enforcement officials hope this sentencing brings some closure to those affected by this dreadful act.
