CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Saturday evening was a time to remember a life cut short in what police said was a brutal attack in a Charlotte gas station.
Family and friends of 47-year-old Glandina Dixon said their goodbyes at a heartwarming vigil at Camp Greene Park.
“It hurts but we’ll just have to leave it in God’s hands for right now,” shared James Love, who was one of Dixon's loved ones.
Dixon was killed on Aug. 17, 2024, at the QuickTrip on Trailer Drive. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said she was followed into the bathroom by 53-year-old Sam Roary who beat her with a hammer.
“We don’t understand why, we want to know why. I’m angry. God says you have to forgive, but right now I can’t forgive because she didn’t deserve it,” said Love.
“It’s hard because things happen, but you’re never looking for something like that to happen to her. I’m going to miss her and I love her,” shared Anthony Dixon, one of her relatives.
At the vigil, there were candles lit, prayers, and long hugs as they tearfully provided comfort to each other in her memory.
This isn't Roary's first time to face serious charges like this; in 1989, he was convicted of second-degree murder at the age of 18. He was released six years later, but is now back in jail.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.