Deborah M. Scriven, a 44-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on December 21, 2007, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She was a dedicated secretary for the Rocky Mount Police Department and had also worked at Nash General Hospital. Scriven was found shot to death in her home along with her friend, Leona Johnson, 50, in what appeared to be a home invasion.
Scriven's son, Devin Scriven, was also present during the incident and was critically wounded but survived.
Rocky Mount police identified a "person of high interest" in the case but did not release the individual's name. The investigation revealed that the shootings were not random and that the victims likely knew their attacker. Despite questioning two people of interest, the case remains unsolved. The police continued to follow leads but have not determined a motive for the killings.
In a related case, Antonio Wardell Matthews, the brother of Devin Scriven, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his brother in September 2008. Matthews went to trial in 2011, but the judge declared a mistrial after the jury could not reach a verdict. The District Attorney planned to retry Matthews with a second-degree murder charge, but Matthews ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released on parole after eight months and has not been in trouble since.
The Scriven family and the Rocky Mount community have been deeply affected by this tragedy, and the case continues to be a priority for law enforcement. The Rocky Mount Police Department and Team Cold Case have offered a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Deborah Scriven's death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence on families and communities, and the ongoing quest for justice and closure for her loved ones.
