Henderson County -- May 4, 2026: A Saluda man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the 2022 death of 47-year-old Daniel Case.
The Conviction:Shane Archie Waters, 53, entered a guilty plea in Henderson County Superior Court for the murder of Case, a Hendersonville resident.
The Sentence: Superior Court Judge Craig Croom sentenced Waters to a term of 192 to 243 months (approximately 16 to 20 years) in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Missing Person Report: Case was first reported missing in September 2022 after failing to show up for his shift at Meritor in Fletcher, which coworkers noted was highly unusual.
The Investigation: Investigators located a woman driving a vehicle registered to Case. She informed law enforcement that she had last seen Case with Waters on Pinnacle Mountain Road.
The Incident: The witness stated she was driving Case’s car with Waters in the front seat and Case in the back when the two men began arguing over her. She reported pulling over several times so the men could fight.
The Shooting: During the final stop, the witness reported hearing three gunshots from the woods. Waters then returned to the vehicle alone and told her to leave the area.
Confession and Discovery: In October 2022, Waters admitted to shooting Case three times in the neck and chest. On December 1, 2022, he guided detectives to the location on Pinnacle Mountain Road where the shooting occurred.
Forensic Evidence: Detectives recovered a human skull and scattered remains that showed signs of animal scavenging. They also found a shirt with defects consistent with bullet holes and blood staining. DNA analysis confirmed the remains were those of Daniel Case.
Prosecution: District Attorney R. Andrew Murray stated the investigation was conducted by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.