Post by Scumhunter on Oct 28, 2018 0:55:29 GMT -5
(Above: Left: Reginald McDowell (wanted fugitive), Photo Credit: abc11.com. Right: Meta Price Valentine (missing person, presumed murdered by McDowell) Photo Credit: Charley Project)
From abc11.com:
Friday, March 30, 2018
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) --
A murder charge has been filed against the ex-boyfriend of a missing Fayetteville woman.
Meta Valentine was reported missing in 2014 after she failed to show up for Bible study.
The district attorney told ABC11 that her ex-boyfriend Reginald McDowell will be charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Police have not yet arrested McDowell but said they believe he is the only suspect due to probable cause. He is believed to be in the New York area.
"I know he knows some people up there ... might be a mix of friends or family," said DeMario Valentine, Meta's son.
Warrants were issued for his arrest Feb. 3.
"We're getting close to closure, which is a great thing" DeMario Valetine said.
The U.S. Marshals are also involved in the search.
"If she could take care of you, she would try to. she loved to eat, which is why I love to cook," said Valentine's son, DeMario Valentine. "its just hard because I always wanted her there when I got married and had kids ... and I'm hoping there's still a chance that happens."
Valentine was reported missing on Oct. 29, 2014, after church members say she failed to show up at a function. Valentine was the church secretary at Fayetteville's Deliverance and Praise Church of Worship.
On the evening of Oct. 28, Valentine's mother said she had a strange phone conversation with her daughter. Valentine, she said, was speaking "in riddles." That was around 10:30 p.m.
Surveillance video showed what happened just five hours earlier when Valentine was returning to her apartment from a community watch meeting.
Valentine lived in the Sycamore Park complex off of Volunteer Drive. Around 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28, she was walking back to her apartment from the complex front office when she paused along the sidewalk for a moment.
As she made a right turn and disappeared into the breezeway, her longtime boyfriend -- McDowell -- was seen rushing toward her.
Fayetteville police said Reginald McDowell initially cooperated but then distanced himself from the lead detective and disappeared.
McDowell dated Valentine on and off since high school and shared a child with her.
"There's been quite a few cases where people pop up years later. so anything is possible," DeMario Valentine said.
abc11.com/murder-charge-filed-in-2014-case-of-missing-fayetteville-woman/3282874/
Additional local news segment: www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/cumberland-county-news/ex-boyfriend-charged-with-murder-in-2014-disappearance-of-fayetteville-woman/1089730371
Charley Project page on Meta Valentine's disappearance: charleyproject.org/case/meta-price-valentine
Thoughts? This is similar to the William Greer/Tammy Esquivel case that was on America's Most Wanted and The Hunt in that a missing woman is presumed murdered and the boyfriend has been charged even though a body has not been found. There have plenty of cases and convictions in murder trials under these circumstances, but of course it would also be comforting for Meta Valentine's family to be able to mourn her properly if that was all possible. If McDowell has any conscience whatsoever, and if he is guilty, then he'd at least phone the police and tell them where they can locate Meta. (Of course I'm not going to hold my breath).
As far as I can tell, McDowell is still at large as of this posting date (October 28th, 2018), since the Charley Project is usually up-to-date and makes no mention of him being apprehended at the moment. However, if anyone ever has any updates/proof-of-updates one way or the other, they are always more than welcome to let us know.
Also, relatively unimportant technical note but Meta has been missing since 2014. I put 2018 as the wanted year for McDowell in the thread year since he was not charged with her presumed murder until this year.
Admin Note #1: According to online news articles, anyone with information on this case can anonymously call Fayetteville Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form