Charles Dewey Earp, 63, was found dead in his Bailey, North Carolina home on May 23, 2024. Deputies conducting a welfare check at about 12:44 p.m. discovered him in a rear bedroom with a fatal shotgun wound to the head. The residence showed signs of a struggle, blood, and a strong chemical odor; chemicals had been poured through the house and a pot with an unknown liquid was on the stove.

The primary suspect is his son, 37-year-old Brandon Charles Earp, who lived with his father and was not at the home when deputies arrived. After an extensive search using an aviation unit, Brandon was located hiding under brush in a tree line with camouflage face paint and taken into custody without incident. Sheriff Keith Stone said Brandon displayed disoriented behavior at arrest and claimed he was fleeing from aliens; investigators believe chemicals were poured after the death and that Brandon may have been hallucinating. Brandon Earp was charged with first-degree murder and is in custody without bond; the investigation is ongoing.

Charles Earp’s obituary notes he worked forty-four years at Edwards, Inc., and he is survived by family including his son and a grandson. If anyone has information about what happened that day or knew the family, please share what is known.