Sheriff’s Office reviewing Erica Parsons’ case to determine charges

Published 7:11 am Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has responded to the findings from the autopsy of Erica Parson’s remains.

The results and other evidence will be reviewed, a press release says, then presented to District Attorney Brandi Cook, who will determine the criminal charges against Casey and Sandy Parsons, which will then will be taken to the grand jury.

Because Casey and Sandy Parsons are in a federal prison, serving time for fraud charges related to   the case, arrangements will have to be made to bring them to Rowan County.

One of the chief investigators in the Parsons case, First Lt. Chad Moose, is involved in the Marlene Johnson murder trial going on in Superior Court, as is Cook, which will affect the timing of the events.

Below is the release from the Sheriff’s Office:

“The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received the results of the autopsy of Erica Parsons today (Tuesday), sometime after lunch.  The results were sent to the email address of 1st Lt. Chad Moose, and apparently were forwarded to news media agencies at the same time by the NC Medical Examiner’s Office. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received no other notification, phone call, or email to additional staff.  … Moose is actively involved in the court trial of defendant Marlene Johnson, who is charged with murder in a completely unrelated investigation.  The trail of Marlene Johnson began yesterday (Monday), and also involves the Rowan County District Attorney Brandi Cook.

“The autopsy results will be reviewed by RCSO investigators, and then the results of the autopsy, along with other evidence will be presented to the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office. Once the District Attorney has had the time needed to give careful consideration to the evidence and results of the autopsy, Ms. Cook will meet with the RCSO investigators regarding the type of criminal charges that will be made against Casey and Sandy Parsons. The resulting charges will most likely be taken before the Rowan County grand jury for review. Once these steps are completed, arrangements will have to be made with federal authorities for Casey and Sandy Parsons to be transported to Rowan County, so that the charging documents (warrants) can be served on them, and a first appearance can be set for the defendants.

“Once decisions are made by RCSO investigators and the Rowan County DA, further information will be released regarding this ongoing investigation!! Ample notice will be given to all media outlets when there is more information to be released. With both suspects still being in federal prison, further charges will most likely be forthcoming after the conclusion of the current murder trial that is unfolding in the Rowan County Superior Court.”