Teresa Ann Pierce Harrelson, a 49-year-old woman from Fremont, NC, tragically lost her life on January 1, 2011. Teresa was born on August 26, 1961, in New Hanover County and was the daughter of Inez Benton Pierce and the late Fitzhugh Pierce. She was a resident of Fremont, formerly of Rocky Point.
On the night of her death, Teresa was at her home in Bentwood Court mobile home park when she was shot multiple times.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m., and she was subsequently transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that her live-in boyfriend, Honorio Grajales, 44, was responsible for the shooting. Grajales was charged with murder and was held without bond in the Wayne County jail.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the dispute might have started over Grajales's jealousy regarding an ex-boyfriend of Teresa. Friends of Teresa, including Martha Jones and Bruce Eastwood, recounted the events leading up to the shooting. According to their accounts, Grajales retrieved a gun and shot Teresa three times inside the house before following her outside and shooting her two more times.
The case garnered significant attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it. Investigators worked to determine whether Grajales was in the country legally, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The tragic death of Teresa Ann Pierce Harrelson left a lasting impact on her community, as friends and family mourned the loss of a beloved individual.
