Polk County -- June 9, 2026: A Polk County grand jury has officially indicted a 42-year-old man in connection with the tragic deaths of an elderly couple whose bodies were discovered following a house fire last month.
District Attorney Andrew Murray confirmed on Tuesday, June 9, that Christopher Shane Turner faces two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Robert and Wendy Peck, both 80, of Saluda.
In addition to the murder charges, court records show the grand jury indicted Turner on a charge of arson related to the destruction of the Pecks' home.
Discovery of the Crime
The investigation began in May after emergency crews responded to a fire at the Pecks' residence. After the flames were extinguished, first responders discovered the bodies of the couple inside the burned structure. Authorities subsequently ruled the deaths homicides, launching a sweeping investigation that quickly led to Turner.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
With the grand jury indictments handed down, the case will now move forward in the Polk County Superior Court system. Prosecutor Andrew Murray has not yet indicated whether the District Attorney's office will seek the death penalty or pursue life in prison without parole, which are the standard sentencing options for first-degree murder in North Carolina.
Turner remains in custody as he awaits his next scheduled court appearance.