Sandra Smith Hoyle, a 72-year-old Caucasian woman, passed away on July 8, 2020, in New Bern, North Carolina. Sandra and her husband, Andrew Percy Hoyle, were found deceased in their home on Dragstrip Road. The couple had been married for 54 years and were well-known in their community for their love of hunting and dancing. Sandra was a homemaker, while Andrew worked on the railroad until his retirement.
The investigation into their deaths revealed that they were victims of a double
homicide. The Craven County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of deceased persons at their residence and discovered the bodies of Sandra and Andrew Hoyle. During the investigation, it was found that their vehicle was missing. The authorities identified Michael Tanner Norris, their 30-year-old grandson, as the primary suspect. Norris was located in Beaufort County, where he was arrested while driving the Hoyles' vehicle. A weapon, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from the vehicle.
Michael Tanner Norris was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He later pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The community was shocked by the tragic loss of Sandra and Andrew Hoyle, and their deaths left a lasting impact on those who knew them.
