LOWELL, N.C. — Editor's Note: WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use these mugshots because of the severity of the charges and the ongoing investigation.
A missing persons investigation in North Carolina that had been underway since October 2020 took a turn Friday after police said human remains were discovered in a home's backyard.
The Lowell Police Department said the remains were found as officers searched a home during a missing persons investigation Friday. Later in the evening, the Gaston County Police Department said a Florida man will face charges and has been brought to the Tar Heel State.
Officers responded to the home on South Church Street near the bridge over Interstate 85 for the investigation. The department said the remains were found and were transferred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification and examination.
On Tuesday, the Medical Examiner's Office in Charlotte confirmed the remains belong to then-49-year-old Sammie Bruce "Chip" Davis who went missing in late 2020. Davis was reported missing by his sister on Oct. 31, 2021 because it had been weeks since his sister said anyone had heard from him.
Neighbors in the area say they were shocked to find out what happened in the neighborhood they told WCNC Charlotte is a quiet place to live.
"It’s definitely bizarre," Zach Evington said. "I have never really experienced that. I heard about another murder on this street before, but it’s very different."
Shana Abdalla, the current resident at the home, said she's still processing what all happened just a day before. Officials have confirmed the current tenets have no involvement with the case.
"I just feel bad for the victim’s family – whoever they are," Abdalla said.
GCP said on Friday that 55-year-old Kenneth Richard Johnson Jr. is facing a felony charge of concealment of death. The department said Johnson used to live at the house where the human remains were found, but no longer lives there.
Johnson was previously arrested in Ocala, Florida, on unrelated charges in November 2023, and has been transported to the Gaston County Jail.
On Saturday, the department announced it had arrested a second suspect in this case. Robin Rae Adair, 53, is facing a felony charge of concealment of death and a felony charge of obstruction of justice. Adair is currently in custody in the Marion County Jail in Florida, pending extradition to North Carolina.
In his first court appearance on Monday, Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page said Johnson told investigators Sammie "Chip" Davis, his roommate, suffered an overdose.
“Instead of calling law enforcement and reporting the death, he and Ms. Adair buried the body in the backyard," Page said.
After being arrested for charges related to using Davis' debit cards, the D.A. says Johnson finally decided to speak.
“[Johnson] actually drew the location of where the body would be found and directed officers to that specific location," Page said.
His secured bond was set at $500,000.
Speaking to WCNC Charlotte after Johnson's first appearance, Felicia Wilson, Davis' sister, said her brother was an amazing person who loved his family.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may be able to provide more information is asked to call GCP at 704-866-3329 to speak with Det. T.D. Pilkington. Tips can also be phoned into Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.
Gaston County Scanner Radio shared photos of the scene on X, saying a small excavator was used and multiple crime scene vans were at a home.
Lowell is located about 17 miles west of Charlotte.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
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