Suspect named in 91-year-old's murder

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) - Police just named a suspect in the case of a 91-year-old Elizabeth City woman beaten to death in her home last month.

Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for Davey Lewis Alexander, charging him with first degree murder, kidnapping, burglary and felony larceny in connection with the death of Elaine Jones.

Elizabeth City Police held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to announce the charges. Investigators said they do not believe Alexander is in Elizabeth City. The 61 year old has a lengthy record from Pennsylvania to New York on burglary, fraud and DWI. Investigators said Alexander knew Jones from church and they lived in the same neighborhood.

The case was personal for police officers, many who knew Jones for years.

"I've known Ms. Jones for probably15 years. When I was out on patrol she would be out working in her yard and we would periodically just stop by and chat with her see how she was doing," says Sgt. Mike Boone.
 

The Police Department conducted more than 50 interviews and collected more than 100 pieces of evidence for analysis.

Autopsy results confirm Jones died of blunt force trauma.

Police found her body in her home on Parkview Drive in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on April 15.

Elizabeth City Detective Jerry Boyce said a caretaker came to the home that Thursday morning, but she could not get in. So she called Jones' brother Albert Pettis. He told the caretaker to call police.

She was "a damn good sister," Pettis told WAVY.com. "I don't know anything, and I don't want to know anything. I want them to apprehend the fellow and I pray they catch him before I do."

Also in the house at the time of the attack was Jones' 93-year-old sister. Jones' sister, who was unharmed in the incident, suffers from Alzheimers and is unable to help police in the investigation. She has been taken to a nursing home.

Alexander's North Carolina Criminal History:

If you have information pertaining to this case, contact Detective Jerry Boyce, who is the lead investigator, at (252)339-9467 or any member of the Elizabeth City Police Department at (252)335-4321.