Crystal Lynn McLamb, a 43-year-old woman from Bladenboro, NC, tragically passed away on February 11, 2016. She was born on November 28, 1972, and was known for her love of animals and outdoor activities such as hunting and scuba diving. McLamb was survived by her husband, William Earl McLamb Jr., her children, and numerous other family members.
The circumstances surrounding her death were initially reported as an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLamb was found dead at a home on Ruby Kidds Road, near Bladenboro, with a single gunshot wound to the face. Her boyfriend, Kelly Dwayne Hamilton, claimed that McLamb accidentally shot herself while moving a loaded firearm from a coffee table while they were watching a movie.
However, the investigation took a different turn when detectives discovered inconsistencies in Hamilton's account. Evidence collected from the scene indicated that two shots were fired from the weapon, and one of the spent shell casings was found hidden under a mattress in Hamilton's bedroom. Testing confirmed that the hidden shell casing had been fired from the weapon that was on the coffee table. Based on this evidence, Hamilton was arrested on February 12, 2016, and charged with first-degree murder.
In May 2019, Hamilton entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and was sentenced to between 21 and 26 years in prison. The court proceedings revealed that Hamilton had attempted to make it appear as though McLamb had accidentally shot herself. The Bladen County District Attorney's Office stated that Hamilton's actions were deliberate and that he was responsible for McLamb's death.
The case drew significant attention in the local community, and the sentencing brought some measure of justice for McLamb's family and friends. The tragic loss of Crystal Lynn McLamb remains a poignant reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the pursuit of justice in cases of suspicious deaths.
