GLEN ALPINE, N.C. — A quiet nature trail near Simpson Park became the focal point of a chilling double-homicide investigation that unfolded dramatically in Burke County. The case took a tragic turn following the discovery of human remains belonging to a married couple from Morganton, prompting the arrest of two individuals accused of their murders.
The investigation revolves around the deaths of 31-year-old Raheim McClain Murray and his 39-year-old wife, Carla Janon Murray. Authorities have indicted Jamar Quarmaine Propst and Tosha Lee Lewis, both 36, on two counts of first-degree murder and felony conspiracy. While allegations surrounding a financial motive have emerged, both defendants maintain their presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The sequence of events began unfolding on July 20, when a park employee discovered shovels hidden under brush near the trail. Subsequent investigation revealed an area of disturbed ground hidden from view. Responding to a report of suspicious activity, deputies were joined by detectives from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as the search escalated.
On July 21, investigators found Raheim Murray’s remains at the site, and an autopsy confirmed his identity through fingerprints two days later. At that time, authorities had yet to receive a missing-person report for Murray and had not located his wife, which redirected their focus towards the couple’s home and recent activities.
A search warrant executed on July 24 at the Murrays’ residence turned up .22-caliber bullet casings and a vehicle belonging to Lewis. Insights gained from an interview with Propst, conducted later that day, shed light on the tragic events leading up to the murders, although those details remain to be tested in a court of law.
According to the interview summaries, Propst indicated that Lewis had previously worked with Carla at a smoke shop and had become aware of a significant inheritance Carla had recently received. Allegations assert that under the pretense of needing a place to stay due to a dispute with Propst, Lewis gained access to the Murrays’ home. After the couple fell asleep, Lewis purportedly left a door open, allowing Propst to enter and carry out the alleged killings.
Following the murders, investigators believe that the couple’s residence was cleaned and the bodies concealed in Lewis’ vehicle for an extended period before being transported to Simpson Park. Evidence indicates that the couple’s phones were accessed posthumously to unlock accounts and remove security features, with substantial funds reportedly transferred from Carla’s Cash App to Lewis.
Surveillance footage tracked Lewis’ movements in the days leading to the arrests, showing her driving Carla’s vehicle. Despite these findings, investigators have not yet recovered Carla’s phone, which they believe Lewis continued to use after the murders.
By July 25, both Propst and Lewis were arrested without incident, facing charges of first-degree murder and felony conspiracy in the death of Raheim. Shortly thereafter, a second set of human remains identified as Carla Murray was found near the same trail, prompting additional charges against both defendants.
The investigation has seen collaboration across multiple law enforcement agencies, including assistance from the FBI and various local police departments. Evidence collected extends beyond human remains, encompassing various items deemed crucial for the ongoing investigation, notably a hotel key and clothing believed to be linked to the defendants.
Complicating matters, Propst was also involved in a pending unrelated murder case in Catawba County, where he faces charges from a 2008 incident. This background raises further complexities as authorities clarify that the two cases are distinct and judgments in one do not infer guilt in the other.
Presently, Propst and Lewis remain detained without bail on the charges stemming from the Murrays’ deaths. The case was transferred to Superior Court after a grand jury indicted both defendants, with their next court appearance scheduled for September 28. Investigators continue to pursue leads as they work to substantiate claims of motive and the sequence of events surrounding this tragic double homicide.