RALEIGH, N.C. -– An 18-year-old woman has been arrested in the death of a 69-year-old man. The homicide occurred at a cemetery adjacent to the North Carolina State University campus Friday night, according to authorities.
Maria Elizabeth Pena-Echeverria has been charged with murder following the death of James Lacy Taylor, according to a news release from the Raleigh Police Department Saturday night.
Taylor was found fatally injured in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of his injuries or the cause of death, WNCN reported.
Police responded to the cemetery after receiving a 911 call around 10 p.m. Friday. Responding officers discovered a man who sustained undisclosed, serious injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
On Saturday, police identified the deceased man as Taylor. Authorities have not released a potential motive in the ongoing investigation.
The cemetery is adjacent to Schenck Forest, which is managed by North Carolina State University, Fox News reported. It is technically on university property. Hence, campus police put out an emergency alert to students on Friday.
“I’m enrolled at N.C. State, so I got the notice of this crime yesterday evening,” said Gary Jesmok. “It was very sad to hear because I walk here a lot alone.”
Pena-Echeverria is being held at the Wake County Detention Center.
