In the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the quiet community of Moravian Falls, North Carolina, was disturbed by a fatal shooting. Deputies from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on Dogwood Road Extension in the Brushy Mountain Community shortly after 5 a.m. following a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jason Gregory Olney, a 41-year-old man, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but Olney was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the death of Jason Gregory Olney led to the arrest of his reported girlfriend, 39-year-old Megan Jane Thomas of North Wilkesboro. Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Olney's shooting. She is currently being held in the Wilkes County Jail without bond. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office in the ongoing investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting.
Jason Gregory Olney's life was one of personal struggle and, in his final years, remarkable transformation. He was a father to two daughters, Jayda Marie and Jozlyn Ann. In a significant period of his life, he undertook a seven-month journey hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. His family described this experience as a profound turning point that led to a renewed sense of strength and appreciation for life. They cherished the last two years with him, witnessing his growth into a kinder and more grounded man. His family, including his parents, grandparents, and stepbrother, remember him for his resilience and the love he had for them.
