Buncombe County -- On Friday, February 13, in Buncombe County Superior Court. John Blodgett, 55, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the stabbing death of Jodi Anderson.
Blodgett was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the mandatory sentence in North Carolina for first-degree murder when the death penalty is not pursued.
The case dates back to the early morning of July 14, 2025. Around 7:00 a.m., Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a physical altercation at the Shell gas station located at 4012 Sweeten Creek Road. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the body of Jodi Anderson.
Following an immediate search of the surrounding area, Blodgett was apprehended without incident at the Walmart on Airport Road. The investigation, led by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, eventually clarified that the motive involved robbery, leading to the additional felony charge.
During Friday’s proceedings, the courtroom was filled with Anderson's family and friends. Several individuals provided victim impact statements, painting a picture of a woman whose life was defined by her connections to others, now abruptly severed by what officials called an "unimaginable" tragedy.