Local

Boyfriend charged with second-degree murder after woman found dead

GASTONIA, N.C. — Police charged the boyfriend of a woman found dead in her Gastonia home with second-degree murder.

Maria Phillips' body was discovered Thursday by a family member at the Broad Street home. Her car was missing at the time.

Overnight, police told Channel 9 they found Phillips' 2001 Pontiac Grand Am at a home on Stage Coach Lane and have arrested her boyfriend, 30-year-old Dwayne Robinson, who investigators said was inside that house.

At the time, police charged Robinson with larceny of a vehicle.

Investigators said Phillips died from a puncture wound to the chest.

Investigators believe Phillips had been dead for several days because her body had started to decompose.

Channel 9 spoke with a woman Friday morning who said Robinson came to her home three days ago driving Phillips' car. She said he was at her home Thursday morning and claimed he was going to Virginia.

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