An East Carolina community is in a state of grief as it grapples with the heartbreaking case of Amarriah Smith, whose life was cruelly taken in a heinous act that shocked locals. The 19-year-old, enrolled at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), where she pursued her passion for elementary education, met an untimely and tragic fate.
This report looks at the disturbing developments in the case of Amarriah Smith, from her mysterious disappearance to the grim discovery of her body and the arrest of the suspect, Jordan Thomas. As her family and friends prepare to say goodbye to her, they, along with the wider community, mourn the passing of a bright and promising young spirit.
The disturbing story began with the unexplained disappearance of Amarria Smith. The Nashville-born ECSU sophomore was last seen before her body was tragically found in the trunk of an abandoned vehicle. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBI) was called in to investigate the sequence of events that culminated in this horrific discovery.
The involvement of the SBI was instrumental in uncovering the gruesome details of Smith’s death. An abandoned vehicle containing Smith’s body was discovered at a local Beaufort County company, Tyco Crushing, in Washington. After being left uninvited in the parking lot, the car was towed, leading to the tow operator’s horrifying discovery. The duration for which the vehicle was left and the reasons for its removal remain subject to investigation.
While the exact cause of Smith’s death has yet to be determined, the shroud of mystery hanging over the case is one the SBI is determined to dispel. With the community and family in need of closure, the office’s efforts continue unabated to find answers to the many questions raised by this tragedy.
In the midst of this sad story, the identity of the alleged killer came to light. Jordan Thomas, 29 years old, is involved in a gruesome crime. The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has filed homicide charges in the death of a young student.
An investigation by the SBI linked Thomas to a car found in Tyco’s parking lot, which he is believed to have abandoned before stealing a truck from the same location. This stolen vehicle was later found at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, leading to Thomas’ arrest.
Adding complexity to the case, investigators suspect that Amarriah Smith was killed elsewhere, and evidence was discovered at the Edenton residence where Thomas lived. This evidence appears to link the victim to the accused, although the exact nature of their relationship and the motive for the crime are still under intense investigation.
Thomas initially faced charges not only for covering up Smith’s death, but also for theft of a motor vehicle in Beaufort County. As the case unfolds, the community watches, united in grief and hope that justice will be served for Amarriah Smith.