Cherokee County Man Charged with Murder

Cherokee County -- July 25, 2024: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office: Cherokee County Communications Center

received a 911 call in reference to a vehicle in the roadway off of Walker Road in Murphy, North Carolina. Upon arrival, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies began to search for the owner of the vehicle, Melissa Marcum. After a search of the area, deputies located Melissa Marcum deceased nearby. 

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the death of Melissa Marcum. Mark Drake from Walker Road was arrested for Felony Murder on July 24, 2024. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to please contact the office at 828-837-2589.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.