HARNETT COUNTY – The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 55 year-old man. Just before 6:00pm Monday, Erwin Police were conducting a ground search for a missing person when they found the individual in a pond on Maynard Lake Road.
Jimmy Ray Matthews of Jarvis Lane, Dunn was last seen on April 8 around 3:00pm. The person who reported him missing said Matthews stated he needed to leave the residence.
After his disappearance, the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and Erwin Police received tips the missing man may have been in a wooded area near Triton High School after he was spotted in the area.
First responders recovered Matthews body from the pond.
Due to circumstances surrounding the sightings of Mr. Matthews, and the manner and location in which he was located, the sheriff’s office is treating his death as a homicide investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 910-893-0140 or the Tip Line at 910-893-0300.
