WINTON – After making an application four months ago, Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes was informed yesterday (Friday) that the State of North Carolina is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murders of Michael Lassiter and his father, James Beale.

On Sept. 1, 2016, at approximately 2:12 a.m., the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a residence located on Pinetops Circle in Murfreesboro. The caller advised first that someone could be breaking into her home, then later reported hearing gunshots from the residence next door.

Hertford County deputies responding to the call went to the residence next door and discovered the front door open. Lassiter, age 34, and Beale, age 58, were found deceased inside the home.

“We’ve been working this case hard since Sept. 1, but we’ve now reached the point where we’ve exhausted all leads and that’s why I reached out to the Governor’s office to see about getting reward money,” said Sheriff Hayes.

“We haven’t forgotten this case, nor have we forgotten the family members left behind in this tragic double homicide,” Hayes added. “We were hopeful that the Governor would approve this reward money and he did just that.

Hopefully this reward will motivate someone to come forward with the information we need to solve this case. That will also help bring some much needed closure to the family members.”

Hayes said those wishing to share information are encouraged to call the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office at 252-358-7800, Crimestoppers at 252-358-7841 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500.