CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Medical Examiner's Office in Charlotte will perform an autopsy on the body of a slain insurance investigator from the Raleigh area.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirmed the body was found off Vista Road in the Fort Mill area Tuesday afternoon.

York County deputies said a person’s remains were discovered about 15 feet off the road near Pleasant Road and covered with pine needles. Officers were not the ones to make the discovery. Police did not say who found Rohrbach's body.

Her co-workers said it was torture not knowing what happened to her. Chrissy Pearson with the N.C. Department of Insurance Office released a statement.

"We are devastated that all hope is lost, but we also find a sense of closure in knowing that we can lay to rest our dear friend and colleague with the dignity and respect she deserves."

The remains were about two miles from where officers were searching for 44-year-old Sallie Rohrbach’s body earlier in the day. Investigators said her suspected killer led them to nearby Gold Hill Road on Tuesday morning.

Authorities charged 40-year-old Michael Howell, a Charlotte insurance agent, with murder in the death of Rohrbach early Monday.

Howell, who resides in Indian Trail, made his first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon. Public defender Susan Weigand appeared with Howell and argued he cannot afford to pay for two attorneys, so he would be entitled as a defendant in a capital murder case.

The request was denied, however. District Court Judge Bill Constangy -- citing Howell's $6,000 monthly income and liability insurance -- ruled he has enough income to pay for his own defense.

Rohrbach was investigating a complaint against Howell’s business, Dilworth Insurance Agency on South Boulevard, when she disappeared last week. Detectives said they decided to charge Howell because of evidence found at the insurance office, inside Howell’s car and inside Rohrbach’s car.

Rohrbach lived with her husband in Angier. Neighbors said they can’t believe she was killed.

“It doesn't make a bit of sense because Sallie was such a good person. It's just hard to imagine anyone would want to hurt anyone that kind and that nice," said Jean Smith.

The state Department of Insurance said Rohrbach’s death may be the first job-related slaying in the department’s history.