Sarah Catherine Long, a 41-year-old white woman, was found dead in her Davidson, North Carolina townhouse on July 23, 2014. Initially considered a suicide, the circumstances surrounding her death soon raised suspicions. She was discovered lying in bed with a single gunshot wound to the left side of her head, holding a. 357 Taurus revolver in her left hand, despite being right-handed.
The gun's placement and the absence of blood on her hand led investigators to question the suicide ruling, and by October 2014, her death was reclassified as a homicide.
Long's boyfriend of seven months, William Drew Becker, reported her missing after not hearing from her for several days. He later produced documents indicating that Long had left him her entire estate, valued at nearly $1 million. This raised eyebrows, especially since Long's estranged husband contested the will, leading to a legal agreement where both men shared the inheritance. Further complicating matters, Becker's wife alleged that he had attempted to poison her with a smoothie in May 2014, an incident that bore eerie similarities to Long's death.
Investigations revealed inconsistencies in Becker's statements. He claimed Long was depressed due to a cervical cancer diagnosis, but her doctor confirmed she only had abnormal cells, treatable with a minor procedure. Neighbors reported seeing Long active and jogging shortly before her death, contradicting claims of her being lethargic and suicidal. Additionally, a neighbor heard a loud bang on July 19, the last day Long was seen alive, and saw Becker at her residence that evening.
Despite these findings, no arrests have been made in connection with Long's death. In 2016, Becker was arrested on unrelated charges of felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor assault on a female, stemming from a separate domestic violence incident. The case remains open, with the Davidson Police Department, the FBI, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation continuing to seek information. A reward is offered for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Long's family continues to advocate for justice, urging anyone with information to come forward. They emphasize that Sarah was a vibrant, athletic, and outgoing individual who loved farming and horticulture. Her brother, John Long, described her as his best friend and remains determined to see her killer brought to justice.
