Damon Christopher Dry, a 54-year-old white male, was found shot to death on January 6, 2017, in the front yard of a home located at 175 Snider Kines Road in Linwood, North Carolina. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a shooting and discovered Dry's lifeless body at the scene. The victim, born on June 18, 1967, in Lexington, North Carolina, was a finish carpenter by profession and had worked for Thomas Built Buses in High Point, North Carolina.
He was known for his love of fishing, camping, and golf.
The investigation into Dry's death led to the immediate arrest of Matthew Benner, a 44-year-old white male, who was taken into custody without incident at the scene. Benner was charged with first-degree murder and was held in the Davidson County Jail without bail. The case proceeded to court, where Benner was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The North Carolina Court of Appeals later upheld Benner's conviction, ensuring that he would serve his life sentence.
Dry's death was a significant loss to his family and community. He was survived by his mother, Elizabeth Rogers Dry Murdock Rogers, and his daughter, Makayla Camile Dry, both of Lexington, North Carolina. The circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent legal proceedings brought a sense of closure to his loved ones, although the pain of losing him remained. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of violence and the importance of justice in addressing such heinous acts.
