92-Year-old Mother and Her Daughter Murdered During Mother's Day Weekend Visit

By: Caroline Black
Topics: Daily Blotter

Nancy Burgess (CBS affiliate WRAL)

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (CBS/AP) Tragedy struck over Mother's Day weekend when a 65-year-old woman and her 92-year-old mother were allegedly murdered by the older woman's neighbor.

The Roanoke Rapids police charged 28-year-old Tony Maurice Gorham Saturday with murder and robbery in the deaths of Maxine McCrary and her daughter Nancy Burgess.

On Friday, Burgess, of Durham, paid a visit to her mother.Julie Spencer, the principal of the school where Burgess worked, told CBS affiliate WRAL, "I know this past week she spoke very fondly of plans that she was going to spend with her mother for Mother's Day."

At some point Friday, the 92-year-old McCrary had been on the phone with her son, then hung up to answer her front door. McCrary told her son a neighbor was at her door, and probably wanted to use the telephone.

McCrary's son, James, eventually tried to call his mother back multiple times, but when the phone was continually busy, he feared the worst, and called the police.

Roanoke Police Chief Jeff Hinton said that the police responded to James' 911 call and found both mother and daughter had been killed. They believe that Gorham's motive was to rob his elderly neighbor, since some items, including a pocketbook, were taken from the home, reports WRAL.

"What a horrific tragedy. It is truthfully a little bit beyond my comprehension how something like this could happen to such a sweet soul," principal Spencer told WRAL.

Gorham is being held in the Halifax County jail without bond. His first court appearance is set for Tuesday.

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by vharmon May 13, 2010 1:08 PM EDT: giangurgolo: damn...wish I would have said that.; Reply to this comment


by x0xBrookersx0x May 11, 2010 2:05 PM EDT: duh duh duh DEATH for him plz&thx.; Reply to this comment


by MalloryDavis May 11, 2010 1:44 AM EDT: This is tragic; Reply to this comment

by rwsmith29456 May 11, 2010 12:50 AM EDT

I wonder if what he got from the robbery is enough to make up for the two lives he took and also his own.

Reply to this comment


by pak31 May 11, 2010 9:58 AM EDT: It is really sad to think that some people value a few bucks over the life of another human being. Amazing. Why go get a job when you can kill your neighbor instead?


by rsmik May 11, 2010 12:04 AM EDT: More bozos ranting about something they don't understand. Everyone would like this guy to get a speedy sendoff from society, but that won't happen. The death penalty practically guarantees a life sentence, but with greater cost to the taxpayer, and gives the condemned the additional benefit of becoming a martyr for the cause against the death penalty.; Reply to this comment


by squeakof2006 May 10, 2010 9:35 PM EDT: That's just sick. Prayers for the family. What a way to ruin Mother's Day for that family permanently!; Reply to this comment


by irishreb2u May 10, 2010 9:16 PM EDT: So i guess we the taxpayers of NC will have to support this piece of **** for the rest of his life. Ok Gov. heres an opportunity to cut the budget, use the lawful death penalty as you should be doing.; Reply to this comment


by liselle3 May 10, 2010 6:48 PM EDT: Fry him... What a complete and utter ********; Reply to this comment


by KeithDrippingSprings May 10, 2010 6:32 PM EDT: String him up,; Reply to this comment


by porcine_aviator May 10, 2010 6:03 PM EDT: I think little Tony needs to get murdered himself for his bad behavior.

Save the taxpayers some money and hold an auction to be the lucky one who throws the switch/sticks in the IV/fires the shot/snugs up the noose/runs the chainsaw.

I could care less if capital punishment isn't a deterrent, it's just an effective, fair fix for the problem.; Reply to this comment