Imani Shabriyah Olivier, a 20-year-old African American woman, was found dead on August 23, 2018, in Sanford, North Carolina. Her body was discovered inside a car parked near the emergency room entrance of Central Carolina Hospital. Authorities were called to the scene after receiving a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Olivier's lifeless body, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed that Olivier had been shot at the Autumn Oaks Apartments on Willow Oak Road and was transported to the hospital in a personal vehicle. It remains unclear whether she drove herself or was taken there by someone else.
The Sanford Police Department launched an active search for suspects following the discovery of Olivier's body. On August 24, 2018, two individuals were charged in connection with her death. Tyrone Frederick Pegues, an 18-year-old male, was charged with first-degree murder. He was arrested and held without bond at the Lee County Jail. Ashley Nicole Murchison, a 19-year-old female, was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. She was also arrested and held at the Lee County Jail under a $75,000 secured bond. Both suspects were scheduled to appear in court on August 27, 2018.
The investigation into Olivier's death revealed that the shooting occurred at the Autumn Oaks Apartments. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots before the incident. One neighbor, Iesha Birch, recounted hearing two or three gunshots and witnessing a car speeding away from the scene. The motive behind the shooting and the relationship between Olivier and the suspects remain unclear. Authorities have not publicly disclosed any further details about the case.
Imani Shabriyah Olivier's tragic death has left the community in shock and mourning. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to seek information from the public to aid in solving the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sanford Police Department.
