Sallie Copeland Evans, a 74-year-old African American woman from Roanoke Rapids, NC, was found dead on April 27, 2018. Her body was discovered off Highway 903 near her home after her family had reported her missing. The investigation revealed that her grandson, Isaiah Kahleal Evans Caeser, an 18-year-old who had gone AWOL from the military, was charged with her murder. Caeser had been absent without leave from the United States Marine Corps since April 2, 2018, and was staying at a hotel in Rocky Mount, NC, using his grandmother's credit card. Explosive materials were found in his hotel room, leading to an evacuation, but no bomb was discovered.
The family of Sallie Copeland Evans had been trying to convince Caeser to return to the military, and she had even planned a trip to Camp Lejeune to talk to him about rejoining. However, she did not show up for the trip, raising concerns among her neighbors. Investigators found her body in a creek not far from her house, and Caeser was arrested and charged with her murder. He was also served with a fugitive warrant for desertion.
The case led to a lawsuit filed by Mitchell Garnet Evans, the executor of Sallie Copeland Evans's estate, against the United States. The lawsuit claimed that the Marine Corps had failed to take appropriate action to prevent the murder, despite being aware of Caeser's mental state and his threats. The district court dismissed the claim for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, but the decision was later appealed.
The family of Sallie Copeland Evans remembered her as a lively and energetic woman who was deeply involved in her church and loved gardening. Her son, Mitch Evans, expressed his grief and frustration, stating that the murder could have been prevented if the Marine Corps had acted on the warning signs. The family continues to mourn her loss and hopes to raise awareness about the importance of addressing mental health issues in the military.
