Found Deceased NC - Amber Marie Schimmelpfenning, 36, was last seen on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 *arrest*

[Vern_S]

News Release: Suspicious Activity Call Leads to Homicide Arrest

Sheriff Danny H. Rogers reports that on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Guilford County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) Deputies responded to the 1200 block of Blackberry Ridge Drive in High Point, NC, regarding a reported “suspicious activity” call for service. Following multiple interviews and an extensive search of the area, Deputies located a crime scene and collected evidence.

Amber Marie Schimmelpfenning, 36, was last seen on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at approximately 12:00 a.m. Despite extensive search efforts, Detectives were unable to locate her. The case quickly escalated into a Missing Person/Homicide investigation.

After working closely with the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office, GCSO Detectives obtained warrants for Ricky Lam, 40, on the following charges:
--Felony First Degree Murder
--Felony Concealment/Failure to Report a Death
--Felony Felon in Possession of a Firearm

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, with the assistance of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Lam was served his warrants while in custody at the Davidson County Detention Center for unrelated charges. He remains in custody under no bond.

This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding Amber's death, the location of her champagne-colored Chevrolet Avalanche (NC license plate: VHA-5320), or the whereabouts of her remains should contact Guilford County Crimestoppers at 336-373-1000 or Detective A. Miller at 336-641-5966.

If you have any information concerning this incident, please contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. You can also download the mobile P3tips app to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. Earn a cash reward of up to $5,000 for helping law enforcement solve this case.

Ricky Lam is the same Primary Suspect in the disappearance of Nancy Bunly.

Guilford County Sheriff's Office

News Release: Suspicious Activity Call Leads to Homicide Arrest Sheriff Danny H. Rogers reports that on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Guilford County Sheriff's Office...

www.facebook.com

 

[vls12345]

Guilford County deputies charge man with murder in death of woman last seen September 9

The body of Amber Marie Schimmelpfenning has not been located

www.wfmynews2.com

 

[GraceG]

I found a mugshot for her for an identity theft charge (Case No. 25CR276958-400) made me wonder if it was related to the man charged in her death. NO - it appears she used another woman's identity when stopped by police to avoid getting in trouble, hence the charge (booking and release information in the court record attested to that). Likely unrelated.

No one's history in and out of the courts should result in their life being taken. But I was wondering if there was something there that made her cross paths with . She has had quite a few interactions with law enforcement but most are simple assault, disorderly conduct type, and one charge that resulted in substance abuse treatment. But only one recent that stuck out and it was a CS Sch II drug possession charge, for which she had a hearing scheduled in September Case No. 24CR418216-400 But I couldn't see any court releated tie in with Ricky Lam there.

Link to Court Records (note from gg - they have had intermittent issues with the website which is noted on their home page, I coudln't get in yesterday but today it worked fine).

eCourts Portal

portal-nc.tylertech.cloud

As to Ricky Lam's History -

Here is where it gets interesting. The current charges of first degree murder, conceament of death, and possession of firearm by felon (details below) notwithstanding - he also had a bench trial scheduled Sept. 25th on first degree child abuse charges. The magistrate record from the court shows he was the boyfriend of the child's mother, the child, a 14 year old male, identified by the initials ZS, Could that be Amber's son? Was she his "girlfriend". Only a thought as I coudln't find anything to confirm that. The other missing woman, Nancy Bunley, had an 8 month old daughter when Lam was her boyfriernd (I'm not clear if he was the father or not) so that would not be the child CZ. Person of interest in missing Lexington woman's case now charged with murder of another missing woman in Guilford County

Case No. 25CR276961-400
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA VS RICKY LAM
Filed on: 04/07/2025
Offense
1. MISDEMEANOR CHILD ABUSE
2. SIMPLE ASSAULT
Arrest Date: 04/07/2025
09/25/2025 Bench Trial (8:15 AM)
Resource: Location 400-HP3C Guilford Co. Courthouse High Point, Courtroom HP3C
04/15/2025 Continued to 05/22/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY
05/22/2025 Continued to 06/30/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY
06/30/2025 Continued to 07/15/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY
07/15/2025 Continued to 08/19/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY
08/19/2025 Continued to 08/25/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY
08/25/2025 Continued to 09/25/2025 - Rescheduled With New Date - LAM, RICKY

The Firearm Possession by a felon is this case: (note the felony conviction came out of a 2003 assault case in Connecticut for which I could not find records for, only the msm reference. Ricky Lam charged with possession of a firearm by a felon by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office — DavidsonLocal.com)

Guilford District Court
Case No. 25CR413587-400
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA VS RICKY LAM
Filed on: 09/14/2025
Case Type: Criminal Case Status: 09/14/2025 Pending
Offense Statute Degree Offense Date Filed Date
1. POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON 14-415.1 FG 09/09/2025 09/14/2025
Arrest Date: 09/14/2025
Date Assigned 09/14/2025
Defendant
LAM, RICKY
425 SHORE ACRED RD
SALISBURY, NC 28146
Asian Male
Height: 5′ 8″ Weight: 152
(Note his date of birth is on the Writ from the court which I have attached a screenshot)
Case Events
09/15/2025 Other/Miscellaneous Writ
Warrant for Arrest Returned Served
Witness List
Release Order Issued
Warrant For Arrest Issued
Location: GUILFORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE HIGH POINT
Crim Proc #: WFA-25-627070
Created: 09/14/2025 11:35 AM
Hearings 10/06/2025
Resource: Location 400-HP3C Guilford Co. Courthouse High Point, Courtroom HP3C

The other recent event in his statewide criminal history is a firearms charge from August. The Complaintant was NOT Amber. I did notice that the hearing for this was the same day as his Bench Trial September 25. Between multiple pending cases and at least two separate warrants for arrest it's a little confusing but the highlights are below.

Case No. 25CR386530-750
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA VS RICKY LAM
Location :Randolph District Court
Filed on: 08/14/2025
Case Type: Criminal
Case Status: 08/14/2025 Pending
Offense Statute Degree Offense Date Filed Date
1. DISCHARGE FIREARM IN CITY Local Ord M3 07/29/2025 08/14/2025
Arrest Date: 09/12/2025 Asheboro Police Department
Warrant for Arrest Returned Served
Location: RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Created: 09/12/2025 7:04 PM
Warrant For Arrest Issued
Location: RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Hearing 09/25/2025

 

[Vern_S]

Was out searching for Amber yesterday afternoon. Cleared a number of retention ponds. Will continue to search this weekend.

Man charged in missing Guilford County woman’s death named person of interest in Davidson County woman’s disappearance

 

[GraceG]

Was out searching for Amber yesterday afternoon. Cleared a number of retention ponds. Will continue to search this weekend.

Man charged in missing Guilford County woman’s death named person of interest in Davidson County woman’s disappearance

Thank you @Vern_S . I'm glad to see you became verified. You have so much experience to share from what I've read in your past posts. I hope she is found.

 

[Knox]

Was out searching for Amber yesterday afternoon. Cleared a number of retention ponds. Will continue to search this weekend.

Man charged in missing Guilford County woman’s death named person of interest in Davidson County woman’s disappearance

You’re far too humble to point out - the mention of your efforts at the end of this news story. So I’ll do it for you, nice work Vern.

Wish you luck in the search for Amber.

 

[cuffem]

Thank you Vern for your hard work, from a local.

'It’s having a mission in life to go out there and do this and bring answers': Local Veteran aids in search efforts

Vernon Shurtz said he's been using sonar technology and underwater search tools hoping his determination brings the Schimmelpfenning family answers

www.wxii12.com

 

[Vern_S]

Here is an interview with Amber's father. It's heart wrenching.

'What did they find that makes them so sure that she’s dead': Grieving father speaks out

Darwin Schimmelpfenning says there is still more pieces to this unsettling puzzle of his daughter's disappearance in Guilford County, but his main focus right now is the three children she leaves behind

www.wxii12.com

 

[Vern_S]

Thank you Vern for your hard work, from a local.

I am doing what I can with the skills and technology I have. Families need answers. I am not always successful, but I am very persistent and never give up.

I have been searching for Nancy Bunly since last December. Just cleared Lake Lucas a couple weekends ago and now working on Randleman Lake using sonar. Randleman Lake will take several days to search it all. I have a new 13ft inflatable skiff that is making my search efforts on larger bodies of water much more efficient.

I have also been searching for Larry Burton in Greensboro for the past 2 months. Searching for him by wading/climbing trough mosquito infested drainage ditches and the South Buffalo Creek has been grueling. I hope to be able to clear more of South Buffalo Creek in the near future. I basically have to walk/wade the creek bed a few miles at a time. Need two vehicles to do it. One to get to the put in site and one at the take out site. Difficult to do solo. My truck is in for repairs and all I have is my Jeep. Once my truck is back in operation I can tow my Jeep to the take out point and search the creek bed.

I am also making weekly trips up to Lansing NC to continue searching for Steven LeCount. I'll be back in Lansing tomorrow to continue searching the New River for him with my drones and my remote sonar search boats. I have already cleared 5 miles of the river as well as 5 retention ponds and a drainage area near where he lives.

Now adding Amber to the search list is making my week pretty darn busy..

 

[GraceG]

I am doing what I can with the skills and technology I have. Families need answers. I am not always successful, but I am very persistent and never give up.

I have been searching for Nancy Bunly since last December. Just cleared Lake Lucas a couple weekends ago and now working on Randleman Lake using sonar. Randleman Lake will take several days to search it all. I have a new 13ft inflatable skiff that is making my search efforts on larger bodies of water much more efficient.

I have also been searching for Larry Burton in Greensboro for the past 2 months. Searching for him by wading/climbing trough mosquito infested drainage ditches and the South Buffalo Creek has been grueling. I hope to be able to clear more of South Buffalo Creek in the near future. I basically have to walk/wade the creek bed a few miles at a time. Need two vehicles to do it. One to get to the put in site and one at the take out site. Difficult to do solo. My truck is in for repairs and all I have is my Jeep. Once my truck is back in operation I can tow my Jeep to the take out point and search the creek bed.

I am also making weekly trips up to Lansing NC to continue searching for Steven LeCount. I'll be back in Lansing tomorrow to continue searching the New River for him with my drones and my remote sonar search boats. I have already cleared 5 miles of the river as well as 5 retention ponds and a drainage area near where he lives.

Now adding Amber to the search list is making my week pretty darn busy..

I can imagine - impressed by the technology you've got to work with, we had a guest lectorer at the Transportation Safety Institute in OKC in underwater submersibles used in recovery of wreckage - pretty interesting stuff.

Thanks again
Grace G.
(sister of "Bull" Durham, USS Seawolf (SSN575), Halibut, Michigan)

 

[Vern_S]

I can imagine - impressed by the technology you've got to work with, we had a guest lectorer at the Transportation Safety Institute in OKC in underwater submersibles used in recovery of wreckage - pretty interesting stuff.

Thanks again
Grace G.
(sister of "Bull" Durham, USS Seawolf (SSN575), Halibut, Michigan)

I do quite a bit of custom design and development of search tools to help in my efforts. Having a background in Nuclear Engineering helps quite a bit.

Thank you for your brothers service aboard the Seawolf. I served aboard the USS Sunfish (SSN 649) and the USS Phoenix (SSN 702)

 

[Inthedetails]

I am doing what I can with the skills and technology I have. Families need answers. I am not always successful, but I am very persistent and never give up.

I have been searching for Nancy Bunly since last December. Just cleared Lake Lucas a couple weekends ago and now working on Randleman Lake using sonar. Randleman Lake will take several days to search it all. I have a new 13ft inflatable skiff that is making my search efforts on larger bodies of water much more efficient.

I have also been searching for Larry Burton in Greensboro for the past 2 months. Searching for him by wading/climbing trough mosquito infested drainage ditches and the South Buffalo Creek has been grueling. I hope to be able to clear more of South Buffalo Creek in the near future. I basically have to walk/wade the creek bed a few miles at a time. Need two vehicles to do it. One to get to the put in site and one at the take out site. Difficult to do solo. My truck is in for repairs and all I have is my Jeep. Once my truck is back in operation I can tow my Jeep to the take out point and search the creek bed.

I am also making weekly trips up to Lansing NC to continue searching for Steven LeCount. I'll be back in Lansing tomorrow to continue searching the New River for him with my drones and my remote sonar search boats. I have already cleared 5 miles of the river as well as 5 retention ponds and a drainage area near where he lives.

Now adding Amber to the search list is making my week pretty darn busy..

You're making Websleuthers proud. "Atta boy" isn't enough. Great work.

jmo

 

[Vern_S]

I have been joined by a fellow searcher and we continue to search for Amber Schimmelpfenning. Dozens of retention ponds have been cleared and several drone flights over areas of interest have been done. Preparing to search a number of lakes in the area with manned sonar search boats.

Yesterday was the one year mark since Nancy went missing. Are hope is to find these women and bring them home.

One year later: Nancy Bunly still missing, person of interest faces separate murder charge

 

[Caring1]

September 25, 2025

PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — The body of Amber Marie Schimmelpfenning, a missing 36-year-old mother of three who was declared the victim of a homicide, has been found, her father, Darwin Schimmelpfenning, confirmed to FOX8.

On Sept. 14, 40-year-old Rickey Lam was charged with murder in connection with Amber’s disappearance. He was also charged with concealing/failing to report a death and possessing a firearm as a felon.

https://myfox8.com/news/storylines/amber-schimmelpfenning/body-of-missing-guilford-county-mother-of-3-found-father-confirms/

 

[Vern_S]

September 25, 2025

PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — The body of Amber Marie Schimmelpfenning, a missing 36-year-old mother of three who was declared the victim of a homicide, has been found, her father, Darwin Schimmelpfenning, confirmed to FOX8.

On Sept. 14, 40-year-old Rickey Lam was charged with murder in connection with Amber’s disappearance. He was also charged with concealing/failing to report a death and possessing a firearm as a felon.

https://myfox8.com/news/storylines/amber-schimmelpfenning/body-of-missing-guilford-county-mother-of-3-found-father-confirms/

Information given to authorities led to Amber being found. She was not in water. That is all I can say for now.