A distressing incident unfolded in North Carolina when Amarriah Smith, a 19-year-old freshman at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), was found dead in unsettling circumstances.
Smith’s corpse was found in the trunk of a car by a tow truck worker. The car, owned by 29-year-old Jordan Isaiah Thomas, had been towed from the Tyco Crushing parking lot in Washington, North Carolina, approximately 100 miles east of Raleigh.
According to the authorities, Smith was likely killed at a different location from where her body was found. Evidence related to the crime was found at Thomas’s residence. Thomas is suspected to have driven the car to the parking lot and then stolen a nearby truck. He was later apprehended at a local hospital.
Thomas is facing several charges including motor vehicle theft, murder, and concealing a person’s death. On Monday, January 22, 2024, following the discovery of the body on January 17, he was officially charged with Smith’s murder.
Smith, affectionately referred to as “Mari” by her family and friends, had a dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, a dream that was tragically cut short.
The specific details regarding Smith’s death, such as the cause and her connection to Thomas, are still under investigation. It has been verified that Smith and Thomas knew each other.
Interestingly, Smith had posted a reflective message on Facebook in the days leading up to her death, hinting at introspection regarding her life choices.
ECSU, greatly affected by the tragic incident, expressed deep grief. ECSU Chancellor Dr. Karrie Dixon, in a statement, acknowledged the profound impact of Smith’s untimely death on the university and conveyed condolences to her family and friends. The university community is united in their sorrow for the loss of one of their peers.
Thomas is currently held at the Chowan County Detention Center without bond.