PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2018 Southern Pines Police Department Announces: Homicide Investigation - Update Southern Pines, NC - On Sunday, April 8, 2018, at approximately 7:45 pm, the Southern Pines Police Department responded to a report of a deceased female in a vehicle located on a dirt road extending south off of South Gaines Street in Southern Pines.
Detectives investigating this case identified the victim as Aiyonna Clarice Barrett, eighteen years of age, of Sanford, North Carolina.
At the time of her death, Aiyonna Clarice Barrett was pregnant with a “full term” unborn child, who additionally is deceased.
Following an autopsy that occurred on April 9, 2018, the status of the investigation being conducted by the Southern Pines Police Department was changed from a “Suspicious Death Investigation” to a “Homicide Investigation.”
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute, this investigation will be investigated as a double homicide, pursuing justice not only for Aiyonna Clarice Barrett, but for her full term unborn child as well.
The Southern Pines Police Department has the responsibility to the public and the deceased, to ensure that this investigation is neither tainted nor jeopardized, therefore, no additional information will be released at this time.
Additional information will follow at the appropriate time in this investigation.
The public information function of the Southern Pines Police Department remains steadfast in providing accurate and timely information to the community, which is often sensitive in nature. It is our commitment to continue to remain transparent and keep the community informed in a manner that is beneficial to all concerned.
At the current stage of this investigation, this incident does not appear to be a random act of violence. Chief Bob Temme offered the following condolences to the family and friends of Aiyonna Barrett:
Chief Bob Temme offered the following condolences to the family and friends of Aiyonna Barrett: “On behalf of the Southern Pines Police Department, please accept our deepest sympathy on the unexpected loss of Aiyonna and her child. The Southern Pines Police Department shares the pain and sorrow felt by all. Please draw comfort in knowing that the entire Southern Pines Police Department has pledged an unwavering commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice for all concerned. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in faith and sympathy.”
The Southern Pines Police Department is seeking additional information from the community, and would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who may have information related to this investigation to contact the Southern Pines Police Department.
Information can be provided by calling the Southern Pines Police Department at (910) 692-7031, or the Crime Tip Line at (910) 693-4110.
All information provided will remain confidential and can be provided anonymously.
Contact: Captain Charles Campbell (910) 692-2732
Editor's note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format as it was received with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
