Suspects in Shallotte drug investigation linked to SC murder

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A drug and gun investigation in Shallotte ended with authorities finding persons of interest in a South Carolina death investigation.

A spokeswoman with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said Charles Thomas Brown, 28, was arrested and charged after a traffic stop on January 5. He’s charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and is in jail under a $2 million bond.

The traffic stop was a result of an investigation that began at the end of December, the spokeswoman said. Deputies received information of illegal activity at a Shallotte home on High Hill Road. Brown’s mother, Nancy Kennedy, was stopped at another traffic stop. She was detained but not charged in Brunswick County. She’s currently in a South Carolina jail with her son and Brown’s brother, Olin Brown.

Deputies said Olin Brown, 29, and Kennedy are facing murder charges. Olin Brown is facing one charge of murder and Kennedy is facing accessory to murder charges, according to jail records. According to investigators, the charred remains of an unidentified body were found in Yemassee, South Carolina on December 18. A home was later searched in Burton, South Carolina where the body of an unidentified woman was found in a shallow grave last night. Officials have not formally linked the deaths. Click here for more on that investigation from WJCL.com.

At last check, Charles Brown has not been charged the murder investigation. More charges and arrests are expected.

Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram would like to thank the Wilmington Field Office of the ATF Task Force, SLED, Brunswick Search and Rescue, Wilmington Police Department, and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit for their assistance in this investigation.