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Man said murder suspect came to his home Thursday night

NEWTON, N.C. — A man said he called police after the husband of a woman stabbed to death showed up at his door Thursday night with blood on his clothes.

“The blood was from his head to his toes,” said Hickory resident James Kendrick. “His shirt was saturated with it.  He had it all over his arms.”

Eyewitness News spoke to Kendrick on Friday. He said Monroe Byrd showed up at his home looking for a place to hide.

“First thing out of his mouth is ‘Hey. I need a place to hide for two days. I just killed somebody,’” Kendrick said.

Kendrick said he asked Byrd to leave and called police. He also told police about Byrd’s confession.

Within hours, Kendrick learned it was Byrd's wife, Amy, who was dead.

Deputies said the mother of four was found inside the old Springs Road Trading Company. Friends said the couple was separated and the suspect was living in the building.

Amy Byrd had gone there to sign some court papers. Deputies believe Byrd killed his wife Thursday afternoon.

Monroe Byrd was charged with murder Friday after his first appearance in court.

Nichole Ryder is still in disbelief her friend is gone. She thinks of Amy's children while also wanting justice for their mother.

"I want him to know we are here,” Ryder said. “And that she was loved? Yes."

Byrd asked for a court-appointed attorney but said little else in court Friday. He is locked up without bond and is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 14.