HICKORY, N.C. — Police have offered a $2,000 reward for anyone who helps them find out who killed a young mother from Hickory.
Deputies found Carol Magana-Jiron, 25, stabbed to death in her car in Guilford County on Tuesday.
The last time she was seen alive was at the Mexican restaurant where she worked near Greensboro, police said.
Magana-Jiron’s neighbors described seeing investigators removing bags of evidence after searching her apartment in northeast Hickory for more than two hours. Sheriff’s investigators said they took clothing and paperwork from the apartment where Magana-Jiron lived with her three young children.
Neighbor Angelita Jimas is in disbelief that someone stabbed her neighbor to death.
“She was beautiful,” Jimas said. “She was beautiful and so nice and always smiling.”
Another neighbor who didn't want to be identified said the young mother commuted the hour and a half each way to support her family.
“I couldn't believe it,” the neighbor said. “(It’s) just so sad for the kids because one of them was so small. She was still carrying him in her arms, and I was thinking the kid would never know the mother.”
Investigators are not releasing a motive behind the killing and told Channel 9 they have not made any arrests in the case.
“She would always ask how I was doing and how my mom was doing and if we were OK,” Jimas said. “She would cook for us. She was so nice. She was amazing.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Guilford County Sheriff's Office at 336-641-3355 or Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.