Stepmother and two sons arrested in connection with the murder of Sara Graham
ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — More than 11 years after 18-year-old Sara Nicole Graham disappeared, authorities have announced the arrests of three people in connection with her murder, marking a significant development in a case that investigators say never went cold.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested three individuals on June 25 in connection with Graham’s death. Graham was last seen alive in February 2015.
Among those charged is Graham’s stepmother, Connie Graham of Fairmont, who faces charges of first-degree murder, altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence, and two counts of felony conspiracy.
Authorities also charged Bobby Matthew McLellan of Lumberton with accessory after the fact, felony conspiracy, and altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence.
Luke Locklear of Lumberton was charged with altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence and felony conspiracy.
Investigators have not released specific details about the evidence that led to the arrests, citing the ongoing investigation and pending court proceedings.
“While some may have believed this case had gone cold, the reality is a case like this never leaves the minds of the investigators assigned to it,” Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a statement.
Wilkins said investigators with the sheriff’s office and the FBI continued working the case behind the scenes for years following Graham’s disappearance.
“When I took office in 2018, one of my first priorities was to get justice for Sara, and that doesn’t end with the criminal charges today,” Wilkins said. “We will not stop until we find her.”
The sheriff praised the persistence of investigators and emphasized that authorities remain committed to locating Graham’s remains.
“Sara did not deserve to have her life taken,” Wilkins said. “The pursuit of justice never stopped, Sara was never forgotten, and those responsible, no matter how hard they tried, did not outrun the pursuit of justice.”
Connie Graham was booked into the Robeson County Detention Center and is being held without bond.
McLellan and Locklear were also booked into the detention center and are each being held under a $1 million secured bond.
Despite the arrests, authorities noted that Graham’s body has not been located. The FBI continues to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of her remains.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100 or the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office at 704-672-6100.
Officials said the investigation remains active as prosecutors and investigators continue working with the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office.
