Posted on March 10, 2008

Police Release Photo of Suspect in UNC Student Murder

Richard Saunders, Raleigh Chronicle, March 8, 2008

The Chapel Hill Police Department has released a photo from an ATM machine of a man they say is a suspect in the murder of UNC student body president Eve Marie Carson.

The murder of the 22 year old leader on UNC’s campus has shocked many across the state and the whole campus community has come together to mourn their loss.

Chapel Hill Police released two photos of the unknown suspect to the media this morning, but according to Police Chief Brian Curran during the press conference, the police had already circulated the photos to law enforcement officials by the end of the day on Friday to try and identify him.

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Police investigators said during the press conference they could not confirm that the man was driving Carson’s vehicle, but it certainly looked similar.

Carson owned a blue 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV with a Georgia license plate number of AIV-6690.

A comparison of a photo of a 2005 Toyota Highlander with the second image released by police show identical color-moulded door handles, dark plastic window pillars, and roof rack details between the two vehicles:

The photos released by the Chapel Hill Police show a man wearing a dark blue baseball cap with a white “H” and an orange star behind the “H”. The hat appears to be a vintage Houston Astros baseball team hat similar to the one the team wore from 1980 to 1993.

Carson’s body was found near campus on Hillcrest Circle on Wednesday morning and police say she was determined to have been killed by multiple gunshots, including one head wound. Her Toyota Highlander was not found by police until Thursday on nearby Hillsborough Street. The police said today that her car had already received a parking ticket because it was in a no parking zone.

Police have not released a potential motive in the murder, but have already stated to the media that Carson was not sexually assaulted. Carson’s wallet was not recovered from either crime scene.

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On Friday, the UNC Board of Trustees authorized a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Carson.

Those with information regarding the case can call the Chapel Hill Police at 919-968-2760 or Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515. Callers do not have to reveal their identities.