Rowan authorities release new images of man following suspicious death investigation

Published 2:53 pm Tuesday, May 2, 2017

SALISBURY — Rowan County authorities have released new images of a man seen driving the vehicle of 53-year-old Shelia Godfrey, who was found dead Thursday in her Lyerly Pond Road home.

Detectives say they need help to identify the man, who may be a witness in the suspicious death.

Family members grew concerned when they were not able to reach Godfrey, who was supposed to watch her daughter’s children. They discovered her body in her home. Godfrey appeared to have been dead since the evening of April 27. Sheriff’s detectives responded on April 28 to 175 Lyerly Pond Road, off Faith Road.

Detectives have not said how Godfrey died. They are awaiting autopsy results from the N.C. Medical Examiner’s Office.

Officials have taken some calls from the public but have not gotten any solid information, they said.

The most recent still images of the man were taken at several businesses in Kannapolis over the weekend. He was seen in the woman’s white 1987 Chevrolet S10 Blazer, which was abandoned at Super Speedwash laundromat on Avalon Drive. The man was seen on video driving the car Thursday night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Detective Ollie Green at 704-216-8686.  To remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, submit information at http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or call the Salisbury-Rowan CrimeStoppers at 866-639-5245.