Jody Marie Lopez, a 36-year-old woman from Wilmington, North Carolina, tragically passed away on April 16, 2020. She was born on January 3, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, to Frank Jose Lopez and Betty Sue Bolding. Jody was raised in Wilmington from the age of two and was known for her vibrant personality and strong spirit. She is survived by her children, Cameron Lee Baker and Hensleigh Mae Booker, as well as her siblings and extended family.
The circumstances surrounding Jody Marie
Lopez's death were deeply tragic. On the night of April 16, 2020, Wilmington police responded to a shooting incident in the 1300 block of South 4th Street, near Greenfield Lake. Upon arrival, officers found Jody suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures performed at the scene and her subsequent transport to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Jody succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Ray Anthony Southers, a 39-year-old Wilmington resident with a criminal history that included common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Southers was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and assault by pointing a gun. He was taken into custody without incident.
Following a four-week-long trial, a New Hanover County jury found Ray Anthony Southers guilty of second-degree murder, misdemeanor breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The judge sentenced Southers to between 21 and 27.5 years in prison. The trial revealed that Southers had entered Jody's residence and shot her, leading to her untimely death.
Jody Marie Lopez's death left a profound impact on her family and the Wilmington community. Her memory is cherished by those who knew her, and her tragic passing serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of violence.
