On January 8, 2024, 28-year-old Kimberly Renee "Kim" Marks McNeilly and her mother, 44-year-old Laurie Ann Marks, were found deceased in a vehicle parked in the driveway of their residence on Casar Road in Casar, North Carolina. Both women had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene following reports of a shooting. During their investigation, deputies identified 32-year-old Thomas Gene Eaker as a suspect. Eaker, who was in a dating relationship with Laurie Ann Marks, was located at a residence on Oakgrove-Cloverhill Church Road and taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder and is being held without bond at the Cleveland County Detention Center.
The motive behind the shootings remains under investigation. Family members expressed shock and disbelief, noting that Eaker had been living with the victims and was considered a trusted individual. Relatives mentioned that both women were caregivers for Laurie's elderly mother, who was present inside the home at the time of the incident but was unharmed. Additionally, Kimberly's six-year-old daughter was also inside the residence during the shootings.
Kimberly McNeilly was remembered as a loving mother and devoted family member. Born on November 11, 1995, in Lee County, North Carolina, she is survived by her husband, Casey Joel McNeilly, and her daughter. A joint funeral service for Kimberly and her mother, Laurie, was held at Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects.
This tragic event has deeply affected the Casar community, prompting discussions about domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in volatile relationships. Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shootings and urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
