Michael Dennis Payne, 50, was found unresponsive in the roadway on Morganton Road near S. Ingleside Drive in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the night of November 15, 2020, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police responded to reports of shots fired; Payne’s 2010 Subaru was taken during the incident and later recovered.

Two people were arrested in connection with the case: Courtney McClanahan, 29, of Parkton, and Joseph Minacapelli, 30, of Fayetteville. Initial charges included felony larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, altering or destroying criminal evidence, and concealment or failure to report a death. Minacapelli was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. Bond amounts were set at $200,000 for McClanahan and $527,000 for Minacapelli.

Charges were later upgraded to include first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. The Homicide Unit was awaiting the medical examiner’s results to determine the exact cause of death. If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Michael, please share what is known.