HICKORY, N.C. — A judge in Catawba County denied bond on Monday morning for a man accused of abducting and killing a former co-worker. Leroy Loper appeared in court to face charges in the death of Robin Doyle, whose body was discovered in a wooded area Friday.
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Doyle was taken from her home near Hickory earlier this month, prompting a search by local, state and federal investigators, police said. Authorities named Loper a person of interest in the case after using Flock camera technology to track a vehicle seen near the site of the abduction.
Investigators searched a residence where Loper was living in Surry County.
According to court documents, deputies recovered zip ties similar to those found outside Doyle’s home, along with duct tape and other items inside a knapsack.
Loper was also identified by neighbors in Surry County who provided video of him being taken into custody on unrelated charges. Those charges involved violations related to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.
Doyle was reported missing after the rear door to her home was found open.
During the appearance, investigators said cellphone information led them to the wooded area north of Claremont where the body was located.
Loper is a registered sex offender and was a former co-worker of Doyle. Loper was convicted of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree forcible sexual offense.
A woman told Channel 9 that she dated Loper for two years and knew Doyle.
This woman dated Loper for two years and also knew Robin Doyle.
“He was a nice, sweet person when I met him,” said Mary Langford. “And then all at once, he started doing crazy stuff.”
Doyle’s body was recovered following a joint effort by sheriff’s deputies, federal agents and state authorities.
Loper was charged with murder, first-degree kidnapping and concealment of a death. Loper remains in custody in the Catawba County jail.
‘Senseless’
Family members and friends of Doyle attended the court proceeding.
Gay Martin went to school with Doyle and came to court to support her family.
“It’s very senseless,” Martin said. “It’s very senseless. It’s tough to know that a woman can’t be safe anymore.”
“My sister didn’t deserve this,” said the victim’s brother, Don Short.
He told Channel 9 by phone that, “My sister was sweet. She went to work every day. She worked hard, and she took care of my dad.”
Doyle’s family members are thankful for the hard work by the sheriff’s office and the other agencies.
A candlelight vigil is planned for Saturday at the store where Doyle worked: the Propst store on Springs Road.