In a remote area of west Charlotte, the body of 24-year-old Julian Cyruss Spencer was discovered on the morning of March 17, 2026. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a call at approximately 10:15 a.m. and found Spencer in a utility right-of-way along a gravel road off Belmeade Drive, near the intersection with Mount Holly Road. The area was described as secluded, near railroad tracks and power lines.
The case was immediately investigated as a homicide.
Spencer's mother, Melissa, described her son as a "wonderful kid, always laughing, goofy, just knew how to put a smile on your face." She said he had a good personality, a great sense of humor, and loved his family. He was the father of a young daughter.
A few days later, on March 21, 2026, an arrest was made in connection with Spencer's death. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, along with the Northeast Service Area Crime Reduction Unit, took 47-year-old Eugene Turner into custody. Turner has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Authorities have not released a motive or the specific details of how Spencer died, though some reports indicated he may have been shot. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Turner has a criminal record that includes convictions for felony larceny, stalking, and conspiracy. He is currently being held without bond.
