While evidence in the case is still being processed to confirm the exact cause of death, Lincoln County Sheriff’s detectives have identified the body of a man found Tuesday (Jan. 10th) in a small pond off Sherwood Lane near Denver as 30-year-old Anthony Tyrone Herriott, Jr. He was the suspect in the shooting death of 35-year-old Debra Ana Jackson on Monday Jan. 9th).

When Jackson's three children weren't picked up after school at Rock Springs Elementary on Monday and phone calls weren't answered, family members discovered Jackson lying in the front yard of her home.  

EMS and fire personnel who responded to the scene and were performing CPR told deputies the woman had been shot in the head.  They also believed someone was inside the residence.  Armed with a search warrant officers checked the residence but did not locate anyone.

The Lincoln County Land Search team was deployed to search the area around the residence in the 6300 block of Sherwood Lane off Catawba Burris Road. They were looking for Herriott.

Herriott’s body was located around 10:00 AM Tuesday (Jan. 10th) and pulled from the pond, located about 200 yards from the residence where the shooting occurred.  When the body was recovered, Herriott was still in possession of the handgun that he apparently used to take his own life and which is believed to be the handgun used in the shooting of Ms. Jackson.

Sheriff Bill Beam confirmed that Jackson had called the Sheriff's Office last Thursday (Jan. 5th) to inquire how she could 'evict' Herriott, with whom she was living.

Major Matt Lykins said the two had been involved in a previous domestic violence incident in another area county.

Construction is underway on a new Amy's House domestic violence shelter which will likely open this Spring; but in the meantime, the Lincoln County Coalition Against Domestic Violence operates the current Amy's House location in Lincolnton--where they provide a safe haven for those seeking to escape a domestic violence situation.  They also provide other services to help victims.

Their Crisis Line Phone number is 704-736-1224.  

Domestic violenc has claimed two more victims--a woman who was murdered and a man who apparently killed her and then himself.  Even worse, it has left three children without their mother.

Domestic violence hurts everyone!