North Carolina: Dakeithia Andrews now charged in murder of Edgecombe County Mayor Gary Skelton, wife Jackie Skelton

A third person has been arrested in connection with the murders of a mayor in a North Carolina county, according to officials, speaking with the press.

Keith Earl Williams, 25, of Tarboro, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case, Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland “Clee” Atkinson said during a press conference Friday morning.

Leggett Mayor Gary Skelton and his wife, Jackie Skelton

Leggett Mayor Gary Skelton and his wife, Jackie Skelton, were identified in an interview with The Charlotte Observer.

“I can’t say enough good about them,” Commissioner Teresa Summerlin told The Charlotte Observer. “They were the epitome of good people. … It’s devastating.”

Atkinson confirmed that another person of interest was also arrested.

Mitchell Brinson, of Tarboro, 18, was charged with first-degree murder Friday evening.

On Saturday, detectives arrested a third person, Dakeithia Nesha Andrews, 30, of Rocky Mount, for conspiring to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident, the sheriff’s office said.

Just a bit more than a week before the deaths were discovered, Williams was released on parole from state prison.

Williams had been serving consecutive sentences for April 2017 convictions for possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with a deadly weapon, police records show.

In March 2013, he was convicted of felony larceny and put on probation, according to the records.

His probation was revoked in 2014 because of other offenses, and he went to prison.

Deputies found the Skeltons after responding to a welfare check Thursday at 7218 N.C. 33 in Tarboro, near the Leggett community, Atkinson said.

“A missing person report was generated and deputies and detectives began investigating,” Atkinson said. “We were able to solve this double homicide in less than eight hours.”