Defendant In High-Profile Murder Case Dead

None — A high-profile murder trial won't happen today as planned in Gaston County, after the defendant in the case died Sunday.

Neal Cassada,55, was at his home when he died. His defense attorney told Eyewitness News he died of natural causes.

David Phillips said the stress of the trial likely took Cassada's life. He said Cassada was confident he would be found not guilty but was affected by the national attention the trial received.

Cassada was charged in the murder of UNC Charlotte student Ira Yamolenko in 2008.

The Gaston County district attorney said depending on when he receives written confirmation of Cassada's death, there may not be arguments in today's scheduled trial.

Yarmolenko's body was found next to a car near the Catawba River in Gaston County in May 2008. A bungee cord was wrapped around her neck and hooked in the back. A nylon strap cut from her bookbag was wrapped around her neck and tied in the front. Her hooded sweater drawstring was wrapped around her neck and tied. Yarmolenko was a UNC Charlotte student who had just turned 20 years old.

Both Cassada and his cousin Mark Carver were arrested and charged with murder in December of 2008. At a hearing in February 2009, a State Bureau of Investigation agent testified the cousins were fishing near where Yarmolenko's body was found. That agent also said Yarmolenko was at the river working on a photography project for a class.

Carver and Cassada's DNA were found in her car. Motions filed in court showed Carver and Cassada's DNA was not found on any of the items found wrapped around Yarmolenko's neck. The SBI conducted a polygraph test on Cassada. He denied knowing Yarmolenko or anything about the crime. The agent has testified he thought that information was truthful.

WSOC