Murder Victim Identified

The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the death of a 49 year-old man whose body was discovered Thursday morning in the back yard of his home.

The victim was identified as Phillip Sauls. Sauls operated a towing and car repair shop at his home at 12549 NC Highway 42, Holly Springs in Harnett County, southwest of Fuquay Varina. A neighbor reportedly found the body after becoming concerned when Sauls didn’t answer the telephone.

Officials have not said how Sauls died but a neighbor reported hearing a gunshot in the area around 6:00pm Wednesday.

Sauls reportedly lived alone at the address.

The sheriff’s office is treating the death as a homicide.  An autopsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information about the death of Phillip Sauls is asked to contact the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at 910-893-9111. Photos by John Payne