Sharon Nicklow, a 52-year-old woman from Burnsville, NC, tragically passed away on October 24, 2017. Sharon, who was a beloved member of the Bald Mountain community, was found dead in her home. The cause of her death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds. Sharon was well-loved in her community and is remembered as a caring daughter, mother, and friend.
The investigation into Sharon Nicklow's death revealed that she was shot by her boyfriend, Allen James "Butch" Buttke, Jr., who
was 56 years old at the time. The shooting occurred in the Bald Mountain community, and authorities found several guns in the home. The shots were fired at close range, and the incident was described as a domestic violence situation. Allen James Buttke, Jr. was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder.
The case proceeded to court, and on October 30, 2019, Allen James Buttke, Jr. was convicted of second-degree murder for the shooting of Sharon Nicklow. He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 15 years and 10 months, and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The conviction brought some measure of closure to Sharon's family, who had suffered greatly as a result of this senseless act. The Yancey County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, and the District Attorney's office worked together to ensure that justice was served in this case.
