GUILTY NC - Sara Ellis, 29, murdered by co-worker, Haywood County, Canton, 24 Jul 2018 *Arrest*

[Richrd]

.

NC - Sara Ellis, 29 - Murdered -
Haywood County >>> Canton -
Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018 -
***Arrest***

Canton, Haywood County, is in Western, NC.

1)) CBS News:
FBI: Co-worker who reported inn cook missing killed her on hike

2)) Google Updates:
https://www.google.com/search?sourc...0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1j33i160k1.0.xkD8V63QZkI

A)) 2nd Degree Murder Defendant:
Derek Shawn Pendergraft, 20

B)) a Richrd Possibility:
Cause of Death - Manual Strangulation
Manner of Death - Homicide

Our Support To All Involved.
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[Message 5800

Thread 382345]
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[YESorNO]

Pisgah Inn slaying victim remembered as 'a very trusting soul'

"...The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed Conner's fears the following day. Ellis, 29, had been killed by a coworker who'd confessed to the crime, investigators said.

They arrested 20-year-old Derek Pendergraft, of Asheville, and charged him with second-degree murder. Authorities have not identified a possible motive. Pendergraft told investigators the two had gone for a hike together, and that he blacked out and regained consciousness next to Ellis’ body.

Ellis’ friends and family are still reeling from the news that "the sweetest person you'd ever meet" had been taken from them, her older sister Carrie Ellis said Friday. ..."

Pisgah Inn slaying victim remembered as 'a very trusting soul'

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[JerseyGirl]

The suspect, 20-year-old Derek Shawn Pendergraft, was arrested on Wednesday night and remains in custody on a charge of second-degree murder. He has not entered a plea and is set to return to court on Aug. 6.

Ellis, 29, was reported missing by Pendergraft on Tuesday night. Responding park rangers and other officials soon found her “lifeless, partially nude body” off an embankment by a trail.

In his initial interview, Pendergraft allegedly described how Ellis had seemed to vanish, strangely, while out hiking with him Tuesday afternoon. He said that after initially searching for her himself, he told the inn staff that she was missing.

more info found here: He Reported His Coworker Missing — Then Allegedly Confessed to Her Slaying the Next Day

 

[Hraefn]

https://nypost.com/2018/07/26/inn-employee-charged-with-allegedly-killing-co-worker-on-hike/

Pendergraft, who’s in custody, made an initial appearance in federal court Thursday on a second-degree murder charge, which carries a maximum of life in prison.

 

[Niner]

So - going thru some of my older arrested awaiting trial cases - anything "new" on this one?

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Prosecutors: Sex assault was motive for scenic inn killing


RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An aspiring chef slain over the summer at a North Carolina mountain inn died during a sexual assault by a co-worker, prosecutors said Thursday, offering new details on the motive for the killing at the height of tourism season along a famed scenic highway.

New charges filed this week in federal court could also allow authorities to seek the death penalty in the slaying that took place steps from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The new superseding indictment adds two counts of aggravated sexual abuse resulting in death against 21-year-old Derek Shawn Pendergraft, and it charges him with first-degree murder. He was previously charged with second-degree murder, which would have carried a maximum of life in prison.

Prosecutors said in a news release that they haven’t yet decided whether to pursue a death sentence.


and of course, no next court date....

 

[Niner]

Ah - another article has date!

Pendergraft is in custody at the Buncombe County Detention Facility, where he is being held as a federal inmate without bond. He is set to appear in court at 10 a.m. Friday (12/7) for a hearing on his new charges.

Pisgah Inn murder suspect could face death penalty after grand jury adds new charges

 

[Niner]

Friday, Dec. 7th:
*Preliminary Hearing (@ 10am ET) - NC – Sara Ellis (29) (July 24, 2018, Canton) – Derek Shawn Pendergraft (21) arrested (7/25/18) & charged (7/26/18) & indicted (12/5/18) with 1st degree murder & 2 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Held without bail. DA might seek DP.
12/5/18 Update: A federal grand jury has returned a criminal bill of indictment raising charges against man accused of killing a coworker at Pisgah Inn over the summer. Pendergraft now faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Was initially charged with one count of second-degree murder, a less charge than he now faces. Preliminary hearing set for 12/7.

 

[Niner]

Wondering if anyone can access this site:

Calendars / Criminal Calendars

it would be Haywood County. I have no access....

in advance!

 

[Niner]

Bumping up!
Anyone? Access to Haywood County?

TIA!

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

Bumping up!
Anyone? Access to Haywood County?

TIA!

I can get in but no search function there - just daily court calendars. Showing 12/21 and 12/20.

ETA: I did find the defendant search function after all, but nothing for him there.

 

[Niner]

Thank you for checking for me AzPistonsGirl! Much appreciated!

I have a few of those type of cases - daily court calendars. I have a list for those....

 

[Niner]

Bumping up for Sara!

@AzPistonsGirl - bothering you for another update! TIA!

 

[Niner]

Another bump for Sara!

@AzPistonsGirl - bothering you again for an update! Thank you!

 

[Niner]

Here's an article that I can't access:

Aspiring chef at Pisgah Inn died of strangulation, autopsy says. Her former co-worker is charged with murder.

any court dates in this one? TIA!

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

no dates, nada, @Niner

 

[Niner]

@AzPistonsGirl - in this article it says he's in Buncombe County Detention Facility. So maybe he is NOT in Haywood County since you couldn't find him. And per the article it seems no court date is set for him.... darn!

Here's the article:

Autopsy released for woman killed on Blue Ridge Parkway near Pisgah Inn


Pendergraft was arrested July 26 and remains in the Buncombe County Detention Facility as a federal inmate without bond.

U.S. Attorney’s office spokeswoman Lia Bantavani said there is currently no court date set for Pendergraft.

 

[Niner]

@PommyMommy - here's one of the older NC cases. Can you see if there is any thing recent for this?
TIA!

 

[PommyMommy]

@PommyMommy - here's one of the older NC cases. Can you see if there is any thing recent for this?
TIA!

I struck out, Niner. I searched Pendergraft,Derek in both Haywood and Buncombe counties and I can't find a thing. MOO

ETA: Oh! Here's why - he's being prosecuted by the DOJ.

Pendergraft was initially charged with one count of second-degree murder, but that was upgraded to the more serious charge after a grand jury indictment, announced Dec. 6 by the Department of Justice.
Autopsy released for woman killed on Blue Ridge Parkway near Pisgah Inn

 

[Niner]

Ah - good catch! So Federal charges.... that means we won't know until we see an article... darn!
Thank you for checking for me though! Much appreciated.