Burke County -- July 25. 2026: Authorities in Burke County have identified one of two victims located near a local nature trail in connection with a multi-agency homicide investigation that led to the arrest of two suspects over the weekend.
The remains recovered on July 21 have been positively identified as 31-year-old Raheim McClain Murray of Morganton. The identity of a second victim, whose remains were discovered in the same area days later, is currently pending positive identification and family notification.
Timeline of the Investigation
July 20, 2026: The Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the Glen Alpine Police Department responded to 618 Hennessee Street after receiving reports of suspicious circumstances near the Glen Alpine nature trail.
July 21, 2026: Investigators, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), discovered human remains near the trail. A joint death investigation was immediately launched.
July 25, 2026 (Early Morning): Following preliminary findings, arrest warrants were issued for Jamar Quarmaine Propst and Tosha Lee Lewis. Both individuals were taken into custody without incident, initially charged with Felony Conspiracy and First-Degree Murder.
July 25, 2026 (Later in the Day): As law enforcement continued processing the scene, additional human remains were uncovered near the nature trail. SBI agents returned to process the expanded crime scene.
Subsequent Warrant Issuance: Investigators secured a second set of warrants for both Propst and Lewis, adding a second count of First-Degree Murder and a second count of Felony Conspiracy for each suspect.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
The ongoing investigation has drawn resources from local, state, and federal law enforcement entities to reconstruct the events surrounding the crime.
Agencies involved in the operation include:
Burke County Sheriff’s Office
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Glen Alpine Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
Morganton Department of Public Safety
Myrtle Beach Police Department
Officials note that the investigation remains active and fluid. Additional details, including the identity of the second victim, will be released as confirmation is completed and next of kin are notified.