Dollie Edwards, an 84-year-old white woman, died on March 1, 1977, in Lumberton, North Carolina. Her illness was first thought to be a strange stomach virus, but later investigation and toxicology testing showed arsenic poisoning. Her husband, Montgomery Edwards, had died a little over a month earlier with similar symptoms.

Both deaths were linked to Velma Barfield, a home health nurse born Margie Velma Bullard, who had a prior criminal record for bad checks and time in prison. Barfield later confessed to Dollie Edwards’ murder and to several other killings of elderly people in her care; she was convicted in at least one murder case and ultimately sentenced to death.

If anyone knew Dollie or the Edwards household in Lumberton in 1976–1977 or has information about visits, caregiving arrangements, or unusual illnesses at the time, please come forward.