Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 21, 2013
RICHFIELD — Sixteen days after saying he found his 87-year-old grandfather beaten to death, the victim’s grandson now faces a murder charge in the case.
Jeff Steen, grandson of J.D. Furr, also faces an attempted murder charge in the severe beating of his mother, Sandra Steen.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Jeff Steen, 40, of 807 Lauras Lane, Albemarle, with murder, attempted murder and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He is being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Center.
Sandra Steen, 62, was found at the eastern Rowan County home she shared with her father on River Road. The day the two were discovered, Jeff Steen told investigators he arrived at the home around 8:15 a.m. to find his mother lying in the gravel driveway and his grandfather lying close to the home at 6225 River Road.
Jeff Steen had called 911.
He told investigators a family member had spoken with Furr and Sandra Steen the night before the murder around 7:30 p.m. Jeff Steen has said he spoke to his mother briefly before she was taken to Stanly Memorial Hospital the day of the incident. She was later transferred to an unnamed hospital.
Officials said early in the investigation there was a robbery, but have not detailed the items that were taken.
Jeff Steen, who was handcuffed and flanked by Rowan Sheriff’s detectives, did not speak with reporters Thursday afternoon as he exited the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office. He wore a white hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head and walked with his head down.
The Criminal Investigation Division developed Jeff Steen as the suspect, said Sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford.
As investigators worked to solve this case, evidence collected and facts uncovered continued to lead them toward the arrested Thursday, Sifford said in a press release.
He also said no further details will be released until the case goes to trial in an effort to “protect the integrity of this case.”
Sandra Steen continues to recover from her injuries and is undergoing rehabilitation.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.