On January 1, 2023, 49-year-old Julia Michelle Holland of Candler, North Carolina, was found dead in the Newfound community near Canton with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of her head. The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation that led to the arrests of 26-year-old Noah Journey McKinnley Bolden and his mother, 57-year-old Jeanie Bolden, both from Canton. Initial charges for Noah included concealment of death, altering or destroying criminal evidence, and felony conspiracy; Jeanie was charged with accessory after the fact, concealment of death, altering or destroying criminal evidence, and felony conspiracy.

A Haywood County Grand Jury later indicted Noah on first-degree murder and Jeanie for accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. In October 2023 a Rule 24 hearing resulted in the state deciding not to seek the death penalty against Noah Bolden due to insufficient evidence of required aggravating factors. Holland is remembered as a loving mother who volunteered with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), Brother Wolf, and Mountain Pet Rescue.

Was anyone in the Newfound or Canton area aware of Julia’s movements or interactions around New Year’s Day 2023?