On October 11, 2023, the body of 40-year-old Crystal Michelle Loughran was discovered in a wooded area near Fieldcrest Street and Cedric Street in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A man searching for his lost dog stumbled upon her remains and alerted authorities. The Fayetteville Police Department responded to the scene, and Loughran was pronounced dead upon their arrival.
Following an investigation, detectives ruled Loughran's death a homicide.
Evidence indicated that she had been fatally shot. Investigators examined her phone records and discovered messages exchanged around 4:15 a.m. on October 10, suggesting she had arranged to meet someone for a sexual encounter in exchange for money. The last message sent from her phone indicated she was leaving her residence on Redwood Drive to meet this individual.
Surveillance footage and license plate reader data revealed that Loughran was picked up from her home by a 2006 Mitsubishi Gallant registered to the grandmother of 28-year-old Fayetteville resident, Raeqwon Mitchell Carlisle. The phone used to contact Loughran was also registered to Carlisle's grandmother. Approximately 45 minutes after the pickup, the vehicle was seen heading toward the area where Loughran's body was later found. On October 24, investigators located the Mitsubishi and recovered ammunition matching the shell casing found at the crime scene.
On October 27, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest Carlisle at a residence in the 5600 block of Mesa Drive. Upon their arrival, Carlisle barricaded himself inside the home, leading to an hours-long standoff. With the assistance of his family members and the Crisis Negotiation Team, Carlisle eventually surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody without incident.
Carlisle was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Loughran's death and is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. He has prior convictions, including a firearm-related felony, and faces additional charges unrelated to this case. The investigation into Loughran's death remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather information and evidence.
