Renee Ann Walker, a 28-year-old woman from Wilkesboro, North Carolina, was reported missing on July 9, 2020, by a family member. She was last seen at the Quality Inn in Wilkesboro in June 2020. Her remains were discovered in December 2020 on North Ridge Road in Roaring River. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into Renee Ann Walker's death led to the arrest of Joshua Anthony Allen and Vanessa Mae Davis.
Both individuals were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with Walker's death. Allen, 34, and Davis, 20, were both from North Wilkesboro. The investigation revealed that Allen and Davis had planned to rob Walker of her hotel room key to access her room.
Joshua Anthony Allen was already in custody on charges related to the death of Kadejuia Nichole Hamilton, a 26-year-old woman from Sparta, North Carolina. Allen was charged with Hamilton's murder on December 18, 2020, and was held in the Alleghany County Jail with no bond. Vanessa Mae Davis was also in custody on charges related to Hamilton's death and was held in the Ashe County Jail with no bond.
In September 2023, Joshua Anthony Allen was convicted of the murders of both Renee Ann Walker and Kadejuia Nichole Hamilton. He received two life sentences to be served back-to-back. Allen was also convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and abduction of a child. Vanessa Mae Davis, who cooperated with the prosecution, received a sentence of a minimum of 166 months and a maximum of 221 months for her involvement in the crimes.
The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, Wilkesboro Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Sparta Police Department. The investigation revealed that Allen and Davis had planned to rob Walker and Hamilton, leading to their tragic deaths.
