Mary Walters Cook, a 56-year-old woman from Lincolnton, NC, was reported missing on September 25, 2019, after her family had not heard from her in two days. Her vehicle was found at Johnny's Mexican Restaurant on Highway 150, and surveillance footage showed someone exiting her vehicle and walking towards the highway. The next day, detectives from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office discovered her body off a bridge on Boy Scout Road.
The investigation led to the arrest of 60-year-old
Steve Allen Avery, who was charged with first-degree murder. During a search of Avery's home, detectives found bloodstains and other evidence that led them to believe he had shot Cook with a .22 caliber rifle. Avery confessed to the crime, stating that he had transported Cook's body to the location where it was found and then drove her vehicle back to the restaurant.
Avery was taken into custody and held without bond at the Lincoln County jail. The relationship between Cook and Avery was not disclosed, but the evidence and Avery's confession were enough to charge him with first-degree murder. The case drew significant attention in the local community, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
In the aftermath of Cook's death, her family and friends were left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of their loved one. The legal proceedings against Avery continued, with the community closely following the developments. The tragic circumstances surrounding Mary Walters Cook's death highlighted the importance of community vigilance and the efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families.
