CONOVER, N.C. — The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force is searching for a North Carolina murder suspect with ties to Pennsylvania.
Donald Ray Hodges, a.k.a. Tyrone Evans, a.k.a. Unique Hodges, is wanted for the murder of his wife, Brenda Bender, in Conover, North Carolina in May of 2022, according to U.S. Marshals there.
The 49-year-old Hodges is believed to have fled the area shortly after the murder and was last seen in Charlotte on May 4, 2022, authorities said.
The U.S. Marshals Service are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Hodges’ arrest.
On May 4, 2022, the Conover Police Department responded to a shooting in the 700 block of 2nd Street SW in Conover and discovered Bender, who was suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
On May 10, 2022, an arrest warrant was obtained by the Conover Police Department for Hodges, charging him with first-degree murder. Hodges has not been seen since the date of the homicide, and it is believed that he is aware of his charges and is actively evading law enforcement.
Hodges stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 273 pounds, with a muscular build. He is bald, has brown eyes, and usually has a beard.
He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to U.S. Marshals.
“I urge any citizen who knows anything about Mr. Hodge’s location to please take a second and make that information known to us or any local law enforcement officer or agency,” said Terry Burgin, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina.
Investigators have learned additional details about Hodges that might help lead to his location:
- Hodges has multiple tattoos on his chest and arms, including a dog on his right shoulder, “TNT Hardcore” on his left shoulder and “Love Shirley” on his left arm.
- Investigators believe Hodges remains in close contact with his family and other criminal associates while on the run to evade capture.
- Hodges is known to befriend and use people in order to obtain money and stay on the run.
Hodges has strong connections to eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New York, U.S. Marshals said.
