Friends and neighbors said William “Billy” Henderson kept to himself, worked and attended church. Henderson was stabbed to death inside his West Bank Street home. Those who knew the 68-year-old were shocked to learn of his death. A caretaker found Henderson on March 19 inside a room in the back of his home. Investigators said the killing was not random. No arrest has been made, but Salisbury Police detectives continue to search for his killer.
Salisbury Police investigated five deaths in 2013, Henderson’s death is one of two that remain unsolved. Richard Neri, who was shot inside his vehicle the morning of Dec. 7 is the most recent.
“Just because someone hasn’t been arrested in the beginning does not mean they are not still working. The detectives are still working on these cases,” said Police Capt. Shelia Lingle.
Unsolved cases are never really closed, Lingle said, but are always being investigated.
In some cases detectives make an arrest quickly, but in the cases where the killers remain at large, detectives continue pouring over evidence and conducting follow up interviews.
In the case of William Henderson, investigators are awaiting results on evidence sent to the state crime lab for testing.
Police said there was no forced entry into Henderson’s home, located across from J.C. Price High School, where he once attended. Henderson retired from Fieldcrest-Cannon Mills and worked part-time for Rowan Helping Ministries in the shelter. The night Henderson was killed detectives said a flat screen television was also taken. Authorities have said the motive was unclear.
Police were called to the area of Old Wilkesboro Road and Brenner Avenue early where they discovered Richard Neri, 30, dead, the victim of an apparent drive-by shooting. Neri was driving a Ford Taurus and had come to a stop at a red light when a dark-colored sport utility vehicle pulled around Neri’s vehicle and fired multiple shots.
His vehicle came to a stop as it hit a reinforced barrier on Brenner Avenue.
Lingle said investigators have sought answers into the shooting, but have made no arrests.
She said detectives ask anyone who may have seen something or have information to come forward. Lingle said information given to detectives can be done so anonymously.
Police also investigated the following deaths, but have made arrests — Tasha Nicole West, Eric Maurice Feamster and Abraham “Abe” Jenkins.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.