The attorney for Sandy and Casey Parsons says his clients feel more comfortable talking with federal investigators following early interviews into the disappearance of their missing adopted daughter, Erica Parsons.
Erica, 15, has not been seen in nearly two years, but was reported missing July 30 by her adoptive brother, Jamie. The Parsonses have said they let Erica stay with her biological grandmother, Irene “Nan” Goodman, who they say lives in Asheville. Rowan investigators say Irene Goodman does not exist, and relatives say Erica’s real paternal grandmother died years ago.
Agents with the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigations are assisting the Rowan Sheriff’s Office.
The couple’s attorney, Carlyle Sherrill, said “the way I would put it, the FBI is treating it as more of a missing persons investigation than trying to pin a crime on them.”
Sandy and Casey Parsons were interviewed early on by investigators with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, who have said the two were uncooperative.
Sherrill has said he believed his clients have provided information that they believed was true. He said they were not being untruthful on purpose.
The attorney said last week the key to this investigation lies with Erica’s biological mother, Carolyn Parsons. Carolyn Parsons has not returned multiple requests for interviews made by the Post, but has spoken with other media outlets. Carolyn has said the two people with the answers to everyone’s questions are Casey and Sandy Parsons.
Sherrill said the day Sandy was interviewed by an FBI agent for four hours, it was done without local authorities at Sandy’s request.
The attorney also said Sandy received a phone call early in the investigation from a family member who hinted at a homicide investigation.
The family member told Sandy the Rowan detectives said were investigating a homicide. Rowan investigators have not called the investigation a homicide, but have maintained their focus is on finding Erica.
Sandy and Casey Parsons have not been charged in the disappearance of Erica Parsons.
See more in Tuesday’s Post.