Sketch released of person of interest in Aulander murder and assault

Published 6:13 pm Thursday, March 2, 2023

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WINDSOR – A composite sketch has been released of an individual who is a person of interest in the death of Lan Thi Rawls and the assault on Rochelle Harrell on Feb. 20 in Aulander.

Bertie Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said the sketch, released late Thursday afternoon, is an artist’s rendering of the person of interest.

Investigators with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are requesting information from the public associated with the ongoing investigation into the death of Rawls and the assault on Harrell.

Those with information about the person of interest or the case in general are encouraged to call a special tip line at 252-512-4343. They are asked to leave a detailed voicemail message in the event that the phone line is busy.

Rawls, age 80, died at the scene of the attack, which occurred inside her home at 108 Commerce Street in Aulander. Harrell, age 62 who was the caregiver of Rawls, was seriously injured.

A secondary crime scene was established in the 800 block of South Commerce Street in Aulander. It was there that a vehicle belonging to one of the victims was found.