Leads sought in weekend shooting death

Published 4:19 pm Monday, May 31, 2010

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Departmentinvestigators are looking for leads in the death of a Bogue Chittowoman who was shot at her home on Lee Drive early Sundaymorning.

Officials said Marriah Barron, 29, a mother oftwo, was found by her husband in her yard sometime shortly aftermidnight. She was shot in the back and side area.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

“Circumstances at the scene lead us to believethere’s possibly foul play involved,” said Lincoln County SheriffSteve Rushing.

The death is being investigated as a homicide.Rushing said the probe is under way to determine who might havewanted to hurt Barron.

“We’re just interviewing witnesses and tryingto run down leads right now,” he said. “We haven’t picked anybodyup yet.”

The victim’s husband, Luke Barron, had beenout of town with one of their children and appeared to have arrivedat home just after the shooting occurred. He found Marriah Barronin the yard at that point.

Rushing said it looks like the shooting didactually occur outside the home in the yard. A weapon was takeninto evidence, but it is not yet clear if it was the weapon used toshoot Barron.

“There was a shotgun recovered at the scene,but the crime lab will have to verify that,” Rushing said. “A lotof this is pending crime lab and autopsy reports.”

Deputy Coroner John Riggs said the autopsy wasconducted Monday morning and results are in. However, there arestill pieces of the puzzle to be found.

“We’re still pending the ballistics report onthe weapon,” he said. “It’s matching the weapon found with whatshot her that is still pending.”

Riggs said there are also still some labresults to be completed before the findings are any moreconclusive.

Riverwood Family Funeral Service is handlingthe arrangements, with the visitation Wednesday at 9 a.m., followedby the service at 11 a.m. at the chapel.