On February 10, 2023, the body of 17-year-old Quameisha Dashay Branch was discovered in a field near Garysburg, North Carolina. She had been reported missing on February 8, after last being seen around 8:30 p.m. on February 7 in downtown Roanoke Rapids. Upon investigation, authorities determined that Quameisha had died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation led to the arrest of 27-year-old Marquette Douglas, identified as the boyfriend of Quameisha's mother, Oniesha Branch. Douglas turned himself in to the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Quameisha's death.
Further developments revealed that Quameisha's mother, Oniesha Branch, was present during the incident. She was subsequently arrested and charged with felony obstruction of justice and felony accessory after the fact of murder. Authorities allege that she played a role in attempting to conceal the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death.
Both Douglas and Branch were held in custody following their arrests. Douglas was denied bond, while Branch was held under a $90,000 secured bond. The tragic death of Quameisha Branch and the subsequent arrests of her mother and her mother's boyfriend have deeply affected the local community, prompting ongoing discussions about family violence and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
