KELFORD – Bertie County law enforcement officials and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating a death-on-arrival (DOA) that occurred in the western portion of the county sometime Tuesday evening as a homicide.

Sheriff John Holley said his office received information on Tuesday, Feb. 23 that Willie Henry Jenkins, an 83-year-old male, had been murdered.

Deputies responded to Jenkins’ residence, 3625 Governor’s Road (NC 308) in Kelford, and discovered Jenkins deceased inside.

Holley said the cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy examination that had not been completed as of News-Herald press time on Wednesday.

Holley would not comment further because he says the investigation is ongoing; but he did add the SBI has been called in and is assisting the Sheriff’s Office with the probe.

Anyone who has information in reference to this incident is urged to contact the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office at 252-794-5330, or the State Bureau of Investigation at 336-209-5201.