WINTON – The public’s assistance is needed to help solve a murder case.

Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes said his investigators are still tracking down leads as they work to find the person or persons responsible for the Dec. 7 slaying of an elderly man found inside his home.

“We have conducted several interviews with persons of interest in this case, but no arrests have been made at this point. We are still working this case hard,” Hayes said.

The victim is 81-year-old Clarence Simmons, whose home is located along US 13, just south of the LTD Club. It was there that Hayes and his investigators rushed to shortly after 8 a.m. on Dec. 7.

“We were made aware of this through a call placed to our E-911 Center at 8:17 on Friday (Dec. 7) morning,” Hayes said. “Mr. Simmons was deceased upon our arrival at the residence just a few minutes later.”

Upon entering the residence, Hayes said there were no signs of a forced entry, and nothing appeared to be disturbed inside.

The North Carolina SBI Crime Scene Unit was summoned to the residence, joining Sheriff Hayes and his investigators in search of clues.

Hayes said that Simmons lived alone.

“What we are doing now in regards to this case is turning to the public for their help,” Hayes said. “That’s a busy stretch of road, particularly in the early morning hours as folks make their way to work. We want those who travel on US 13 between Winton and Ahoskie during the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. to contact us if they saw something out of sorts that morning. That could include someone they saw walking down the road or in that general area.”

Those with information to share can contact the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office at 252-358-7800. The identity of the callers will be kept confidential.