RALEIGH – A Johnston County man convicted in the murder of sexual assault of his former girlfriend died of natural causes at a Raleigh hospital, Monday night. Johnny Ray Daughtry, age 59, of Smithfield was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of Jennifer Elaine Narron.
On the evening of April 9, 1992, Daughtry went to a home on East Davis Street in Smithfield and fatally beat Narron with a piece of firewood. Daughtry and Narron had dated for four years, and during that time she was physically assaulted multiple times.
Two weeks after they broke up, she moved into the East Davis Street home with her new boyfriend. Her new boyfriend was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when she was raped by Daughtry, and beaten to death.
Her boyfriend later found her naked body, face down in a pool of blood, outside the home, and her clothes scattered nearby. An autopsy later determined she died from multiple head wounds. Ms. Narron had also sustained a skull fracture, two broken jaws, and internal and external injuries to her genitalia.
Daughtry fled from the murder scene and was later found at a party in the 301 Trailer Park in Smithfield. During questioning by Smithfield Police, Daughtry confessed to the killing and asked police to shoot him.
During his October 1993 trial, Daughtry testified he did not remember killing Jennifer Narron, who was 23 year-old at the time of her death. Jurors convicted Daughtry of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault, and he was sentenced to death.
Daughtry later appeared before Superior Court Judge Knox Jenkins asking all appeals be waived so he could be executed by lethal injection. The lethal injection was never carried out.
Daughtry was still in the custody of the NC Department of Adult Corrections at the time of his death.
I knew Jennifer and while I am sure I had met Johnny, I knew his parents better. I remember when this happened and how horrified I was. This was particularly vicious.. I also just had another friend murdered the prior November, but Jennifers murder was beyond inhumane. I am very much for the death penalty especially in situations like Jennifers murder, and Johnny never should have been allowed to die of natural causes. I don’t know why Johnny turned out the way he did. His parents were great people, so when I see comments about people blaming parents for their grown children’s behavior it’s not always the case. I know it wasn’t in this particular instance. Thirty one years after the fact, and Jennifer and her family finally gets justice.
I’m Jennifer’s sister Jolene. I am so happy that I can now have peace and not worry about him escaping or getting out. I do however wish he could’ve felt all the pain my sister couldn’t feel!! I’m all about the death penalty.
I was always afraid that he would escape or get out. Now I don’t. I remember everything like it was yesterday!!
I did not your mom has passed. i am so sorry.I forgot she went by the last name of Gainey,so I had been searching for the wrong name. I had found Jennifer’s father when searching but not your mom. I lost contact years and years ago and I really didn’t know your mom that well. She came into the store that my ex ran, which is how I met her and Jennifer. I am about 8 years older than Jennifer but we always talked when she came into the store and I would see her outside the store sometimes. When I first moved to Selma in the mid 80s, all of my friends were born and raised there so they knew your mom and all her siblings so I had always heard their names. When I met my now ex and helped out in the store in town I finally got to meet a lot of people I had always heard my friends mention. I had lived down 39 at one point and that’s how I had met the Daughtry’s. You can finally rest sweetie..Johnny is were he belongs. I have thought of Jennifer many times over the years and try not to think of her last minutes but of the 22 years she had before. I know we all would have saved her from that monster if we would have known… but I don’t know many think anyone is capable of what he did. It still haunts me…and I hope it haunted him every second of these past 31years. Again I am so
sorry. Just know from these posts that Jennifer has not been forgotten. Also, you are safe….no more worries.
Leighlah I might have met you and I think I remember you. Plz get in touch with me. You can text me on messenger. It’s under kinglawanda or Jolene King. I would love to talk to you.
There is something seriously wrong when someone sentenced to the death penalty, 30 freaking years ago, dies of natural causes. There should be only one appeal after the verdict, to be decided within a week. If they are still found guilty after the appeal, the death penalty should be carried out immediately. This monster viciously murdered that young lady who was 23 when he killed her. So, basically, he lived 7 years longer on death row than he allowed her to live her entire life. At least now maybe she can finally rest in peace (after 30 years!).
Jennifer nor anyone deserves to die in this manner. She was a good friend and will always be remembered. Rest peacefully Jennifer.
Once again, I am Jolene Jennifer’s sister. Jennifer was only 22 years old when he killed her. If she would’ve lived to see October 3 she would’ve been 23. Our mom is passed and the other sister was pulling time the last I was told. I’m basically the only one left. I remember it all like it was yesterday and I never got over it. I have never forgot all the pictures of everything he done to her that they showed us while the trial was going on and I can never get any of those images out of my mind or head. Yes my sister can finally Rest In Peace after 31 years!
I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. I know the pain will never go away but at least now maybe you’ll have some solace knowing she can rest in peace. It should have NEVER taken this long for him to die and face his final judgement. (I’m sorry about getting her age wrong, I was going by what JoCo wrote.)
Jolene, I was one of many people that worked that “case”. And in 34 years of policing, Jennifer’s case got to me more than any other. I’ve been retired since 2007, but if I can help you by answering questions or offer explanations or address concerns you may have – I’d be more than willing to talk to you. My landline # is 919 689-2050 and leave message if I don’t answer. I will call you back. Capt. R.J. Cuddington, Ret. Smithfield Police
I remember you very much Joey Cuddington. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and I will be calling you to talk.
I knew Jennifer her last few years . She was a good friend. I enjoyed the time I had with her. The laughs,smiles,tears and everything in between.She will forever be missed and never forgotten. Jolene you and your family have always been in my prayers and always will be. It does still seem like yesterday. His death will hopefully bring a sense of closure to this nightmare.
I did not know Jennifer or any of you, but I will say this as a human, this man should have died by death for his heinous crime and as far as I am concerned Daughtry died too easy. He should have suffered the pain that he caused his victim. This is the problem with death row and our system. May Jennifer now rest in peace.