Third suspect appears in court in connection with fatal New Hanover County stabbing

Skylar Marie Flores made her first appearance in court after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of Adam Travon Smith. (Photo: WWAY/Kinsey Rothenberger)

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — A third suspect charged in connection with the death of a 23-year-old man appeared in court Thursday in New Hanover County.

Authorities identified the victim as Adam Travon Smith, who was found in the parking lot of Saltwater Marine in Wilmington before 7 a.m. on June 16.

According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially responded to the 6100 block of Carolina Beach Road before the investigation led them across the highway to nearby Hanover Pines Nature Park.

Investigators later arrested three people in connection with Smith’s death.

The suspects have been identified as 18-year-old Skyler Marie Flores, 19-year-old Savannah May Sprouse and 20-year-old Kevon Sireal Stanley.

All three have been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

On Thursday, Stanley made his first appearance in New Hanover County court, where he faced the first-degree murder charge.

Investigators said Stanley knew Flores and Sprouse.

However, authorities believe Stanley did not know Smith prior to the incident.

Flores and Sprouse made their initial court appearances Wednesday and are scheduled to return to court July 2.

All three suspects remain held without bond at the New Hanover County Detention Facility.