Man charged with murder after late night assault near Murphy NC

MURPHY, N.C. (WDEF) – The Sheriff in Cherokee County, North Carolina announced an arrest in a murder late Friday night.

It was originally believed to be a hit and run.

Deputies found Lena Shook Thompson with mortal injuries at a home on US 19 outside of the city of Murphy.

She died later at the hospital.

Investigators took Patrick Ryan Williams into custody at the crime scene.

He has been charged with murder.

Sheriff Dustin Smith stated, “We appreciate the Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services, Cherokee County Dispatch and all others involved in helping to resolve this incident. The vital role they play, in conjunction with the relationship they have with our law enforcement personnel, were critical in solving this case.”