Man charged with murder after 19-year-old found dead in abandoned car in eastern NC

The Chowan County Sheriff's Office said the body found is believed to be 19-year-old Amarriah Smith, pending positive identification from the medical examiner’s office. Smith grew up in Nash County and graduated from Nash Central High School.

On Monday, Chowan County authorities charged Jordan Isaiah Thomas with murder. Thomas and Smith knew each other, according to investigators.

Several agencies are working together on the case because of the multiple crime scenes.

Smith's body was found in Beaufort County on Jan. 17 in the trunk of a car owned by Thomas.

Investigators said the car was in a parking lot along U.S. Highway 264 in Washington. A private company called a tow truck company to move the vehicle. When the car was towed, a tow truck employee found the body.

Investigators said Thomas left his car in the private parking lot and stole a truck from that location. The stolen truck was located at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington, where Thomas was arrested.

Investigators believe Smith was murdered at a different location than where her body was found.

Evidence was found at a residence in Edenton where Thomas had been living. The sheriff's office said it's unclear whether the murder happened at Thomas' home or another location. Investigators are still working to determine how Smith was murdered.

Meanwhile, Smith's family is left with a lot of questions as they absorb the news.

Her parents want answers as they grieve their daughter's loss.

"Any parent that is listening - wrap your hand around your child because once they are gone, you can’t wrap your arms around them no more," said father Lawayne Odom.

They are reflecting on the woman she was, an aspiring teacher and a proud Nash Central graduate. Smith was from Nashville.

"She was always talking about her classes," said sister Alana Smith. "Her early childhood classes ... she was like 'I am really going to be a teacher.'"

"I would tell his family, you raised a monster," Smith said of Thomas.

Thomas is being held at the Chowan County Detention Center without bond.

The medical examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death for Smith.

A joint investigation involving the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and Chowan County Sheriff’s Office is underway.