Donald Wayne Gurganious, a 57-year-old man from Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on March 5, 2020, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 9, 1962, in Wilmington, and worked in the power industry for most of his life. Donald enjoyed fishing, NASCAR, and spending time with his beloved dog, Sebastian. He was a caring father and grandfather, leaving behind three children and five grandchildren.
The circumstances surrounding Donald Wayne Gurganious' death were
tragic. On the night of March 4, 2020, Donald, who was blind, was the victim of a home invasion at his residence on Pinecrest Parkway. During the incident, two suspects broke into his home around 10:30 p.m. One of the suspects, James Girlee Hardy, 41, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and first-degree kidnapping for his role in the crime. Hardy and another uncharged suspect targeted Donald because they believed he had a large amount of pills inside his home. During the invasion, a woman inside the home was held down by a man wearing a clown mask while the other suspect shot Donald in the chest after a brief struggle. Donald was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
The investigation into Donald Wayne Gurganious' death led to the identification and arrest of James Girlee Hardy. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses helped the Wilmington Police Department track the vehicle Hardy used to the scene. The car, leased to Hardy's wife, had a GPS tracking device that confirmed its movements. Video evidence showed Hardy and another man arriving at and leaving Donald's home. A search of Hardy's residence led to the recovery of a handgun, which ballistics testing confirmed was the weapon used to kill Donald. Hardy confessed to his role in the attempted robbery but claimed the other suspect shot Donald. Hardy was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the crime.
