State joins investigation of multiple murders

Fifth body discovered in same area since 2005

State investigators for several months have been probing the discoveries of women’s bodies found in the same area near Rocky Mount during the past four years.

Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight said the five women found since 2005 were murdered. The specific causes of death have not been released, and the cases remain unsolved.

The bodies of the first four victims were identified as black women, and authorities believe the fifth victim also is a black woman. A farm worker found the fifth victim Monday in a wooded area off Seven Bridges Road.

Knight declined to comment on the possible identity of the fifth victim pending the release of autopsy results.

Investigators would not say Wednesday if the remains matched the physical description of 31-year-old Jarniece Latonya “Sunshine” Hargrove, who went missing earlier this year. Hargrove, a black woman described as 5-foot-6-inches and 110 pounds, was last seen May 2 walking along U.S. 301 in north Rocky Mount.

District Attorney Robert Evans and Rocky Mount police met Tuesday to discuss their offices’ potential involvement in the investigation.

The State Bureau of Investigation already is involved, Knight said.

The first four victims were identified as:

Melody Wiggins, 29, found May 30, 2005, in an area south of U.S. 64.

Jackie Nikelia Thorpe, 35, found Aug. 17, 2007, between Battleboro and Whitakers. She had been reported missing May 8, 2007.

Ernestine Battle, 50, found March 14, 2008, also between Battleboro and Whitakers.

Taraha Shenice Nicholson, 28, of Rocky Mount, found March 7, 2009.

Investigators said they don’t know if the murders are related and would not speculate Wednesday at potential motives.