Dwight Kelly Payne, a 44-year-old man from Boomer, North Carolina, was found dead on August 2, 2020, in Roaring River, North Carolina. Payne, who was of Caucasian ethnicity, suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. when deputies responded to a disturbance call on Highland Place in Roaring River. Upon arrival, they discovered Payne with a gunshot wound, and despite medical personnel being called to the scene, he was pronounced dead.
Rachel Leigh Bentley, a 38-year-old woman from Roaring River, was arrested and charged with Payne's murder. Bentley, who is also Caucasian, was taken into custody and held in the Wilkes County Jail without bond. The investigation revealed that Bentley and Payne had a previous domestic relationship, and Payne had been facing charges of second-degree kidnapping involving Bentley earlier that year. Bentley had also previously taken out a restraining order against Payne.
The shooting took place at Bentley's residence, an older two-story wood-frame house. Payne was found in the yard outside the home, with no signs of a struggle. He appeared to have been shot in the lower part of his back near the side. A weapon was recovered at the scene, but details about the type of weapon were not disclosed. The incident was reported by a third party as a disturbance.
Bentley has a prior criminal record, including misdemeanor breaking and entering and driving while impaired . Payne also had an extensive criminal record dating from 1996 to 2020, which included charges of damage to property, possession of a firearm by a felon, DWI, felony delivery of Schedule II drugs, speeding from police, forgery, and drug possession.
The investigation into Payne's death is ongoing, with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations assisting the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. The case has garnered significant attention due to the prior domestic issues between Bentley and Payne, as well as their respective criminal histories.
