“We’re thankful to the governor’s office to put this out there in hopes it will strike up some interest and information in this case,” Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said today.
Harvey J. Davis, the victim in the case, lived a quiet life in Severn, the sheriff said.
He was beaten sometime between the evening of December 23 and the morning of December 24, the sheriff’s office said last year. An autopsy revealed he died of blunt force trauma to his body.
The governor’s office said in a statement announcing the award Davis was located inside his residence and died from “apparent wounds from a brutal assault. It is believed the person or persons responsible for this assault and murder used some type of weapon to assault Mr. Davis.”
The sheriff’s office immediately contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which has provided lead investigation throughout the probe. “This incident has had a devastating effect on the small town and community of Severn,” the governor’s office said.
Smith said the sheriff’s office and SBI continue to follow up on all leads in the case. He said he hopes the reward will encourage someone to come forward in the case and “bring information to sheriff’s office and SBI to bring those responsible to justice.”
Anyone with information that will aid in the investigation, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 252-534-2611; Northampton Crimestoppers at 252-534-1110 or the SBI at 919-662-4500.
“All information provided no matter how small or big will be investigated and followed up on,” the governor’s office said.