William Ted Foster, a 49-year-old man from Fayetteville, NC, was found dead on June 23, 2015. His body was discovered by firefighters who were responding to a fire behind a storage building in the 900 block of Tom Starling Road. The autopsy report revealed that Foster had been beaten and strangled before his body was set on fire. His wrists were bound with strips of fabric and an electrical cord, and he had cuts and bruises on his head, as well as bruising on his neck consistent with strangulation.
The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals: Justin Quick, a 20-year-old man from Hope Mills; Misty Dawn Burns, a 24-year-old woman from Fayetteville; and Christopher Lynn Charles, a 26-year-old man from Fayetteville. Quick and Burns were arrested in Carolina Beach two days after Foster's body was found. They were driving Foster's car and had used his credit cards. Burns had been living with Foster, but the nature of their relationship was not elaborated upon by authorities. Charles was charged with kidnapping and attempting to kill Foster, among other crimes. He was known to be a heroin addict with a history of larceny convictions.
Foster's death shocked the community, as he was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. His daughter, Tiffany Davis, described him as a great guy who liked helping people. Foster had separated from his wife a few months before his death and had moved into a mobile home park on Paddlefish Drive. He had met Burns through a dating service and invited her to stay at his home. Despite his good intentions, Foster's involvement with the wrong people ultimately led to his tragic death.
