Man charged with concealment of death after body found in Orange County; fentanyl and cocaine found in victim's blood

A Greensboro man was charged with concealment of death in connection with a body being found in Orange County.

Randel L. Riggsbee was charged Monday with concealment of death eight days after Susan Margaret Horkay, commonly known as Skylar Brooks, was found dead in the woods off Heron Pond Drive on Oct. 15, 2023.

Brooks was was 35 and also lived in Greensboro. Investigators determined someone dragged Brooks’ body into the woods where a man walking his dog later discovered it.

Preliminary toxicology results showed fentanyl and cocaine in Brooks’ blood. The autopsy and an additional toxicology test indicated that Brooks died from a drug overdose of cocaine and fentanyl.

Investigators found Brooks and Riggsbee, 46, knew each other and spent time together at his home in the morning and afternoon on Oct. 14. Riggsbee has ties to Orange County and is familiar with Heron Pond Drive, a rural area west of Carrboro.

Concealment of death is a Class D felony. More charges are possible. Riggsbee was placed under a $75,000 secured bond and has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

“In the drug world, fentanyl is everywhere," said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. "It is critically dangerous, leading to increasing numbers of overdoses and deaths. However, those who use it to lace the substances they sell do so to boost profit. My office is committed to doing whatever we can to prevent the proliferation of this drug and the deaths it causes.”

Brooks' mother, Heather Cutlip, said the family has started a GoFundMe to help with the cost of Brooks' burial services.

Cutlip described Brooks as someone who loved children, enjoyed cooking and was “there for everybody, no matter what."