Eliza Ann McCotter, a 60-year-old woman from Hookerton, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on April 30, 2016, which also happened to be her 60th birthday. She was a homemaker and is survived by her husband, Jimmy Lee McCotter, and her children. Eliza was killed during a home invasion, where two armed men forced their way into her home, ultimately shooting her.
The investigation into Eliza's death led to the arrest of four men.
Steven Jaquan Thigpen, Ernest Mario Roach, Elsworth Agusta Massey, and Tyrone Council were all charged with first-degree murder, among other charges. The suspects were linked to not only Eliza's murder but also a second home invasion that occurred the same night in the Hookerton area. Roach is believed to be the triggerman in Eliza's death.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and other local law enforcement agencies, worked together to apprehend the suspects. The case drew significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that it occurred on Eliza's birthday.
The suspects are awaiting trial, and the community continues to remember Eliza McCotter for her kindness and the impact she had on those around her.
