On January 25, 2023, 49-year-old Stacy Shermont Mabine was reported missing by a family member. His last known location was a residence at 1108 Benthall Bridge Road, south of Murfreesboro, North Carolina. In response, Hertford County Sheriff's deputies initiated an investigation, visiting the property on January 27. There, they encountered the homeowner, 41-year-old Norman White, and 50-year-old Charita Cherry, who was identified as Mabine's girlfriend.
During initial interviews, inconsistencies emerged in their accounts regarding Mabine's whereabouts and the last time he was seen.
As the investigation progressed, a 17-year-old male confessed to the murder of Mabine. Subsequently, human remains, believed to be those of Mabine, were discovered on the property. These remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for formal identification and forensic analysis. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was also involved in processing the crime scene.
Authorities arrested the 17-year-old, charging him with first-degree murder and concealment of death. He was detained without bond at the Pitt County Juvenile Detention Center. Norman White faced charges of accessory after the fact and concealment of death, with his bond set at $300,000. Charita Cherry was charged with accessory after the fact and held on a $150,000 bond. Both White and Cherry were confined at the Hertford County Detention Center following their initial court appearances.
The investigation into Mabine's death was described as ongoing and active by Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes. He commended the efforts of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, uniformed deputies, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit for their diligent work on the case.
Mabine's death marked a tragic end to his life in the Ahoskie and Murfreesboro communities. Born on April 25, 1973, he was known for his early involvement with the Second Baptist Church Creeksville and his education in the Hertford County Public School System. His passing was mourned by family and friends, who remembered him through memorials and tributes.
