De’Anthony Letrelle Morgan, a 20-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on December 30, 2024, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Authorities discovered his body alongside 16-year-old Zikera Wardlow in a parked vehicle off Old N.C. Highway 86. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation, with law enforcement working to piece together the events leading up to the fatal shooting.
Morgan, originally from LaGrange, North Carolina, was a graduate of
North Lenoir High School and had been working at Sanderson Farms in Kinston while pursuing college courses. Wardlow, a high school student and basketball player, was attending Discovery Charter School in Durham at the time of her death. Reports indicate that Morgan had picked Wardlow up on the evening of December 29, 2024, intending to take her to Bojangles, but they never returned.
Authorities responded to the scene early on December 30, 2024, after receiving a call from a concerned individual who noticed the vehicle had been parked for an extended period. The caller reported hearing gunshots the previous night but initially assumed law enforcement was already present due to flashing blue lights near the car. Upon arrival, officers found both victims shot dead inside the vehicle.
The Hillsborough Police Department, with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation, is actively investigating the case. As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation. Community members can provide anonymous tips through designated hotlines or online portals.
Morgan’s family and friends are mourning his untimely passing, remembering him as a hardworking young man with aspirations for the future. His funeral services were scheduled to take place on January 14, 2025, at the Original Tabernacle of Prayer in Goldsboro, North Carolina, with burial at the Sutton Family Cemetery in LaGrange. Meanwhile, Wardlow’s school has initiated a fundraising campaign to support her family during this difficult time.
The tragic deaths of De’Anthony Letrelle Morgan and Zikera Wardlow have left the Hillsborough community in shock, with many seeking justice for the young victims. Authorities continue their search for answers, hoping to bring closure to their grieving families.
