BELMONT, N.C. — Police issued arrest warrants for a man and a woman believed to be connected to the murder of a woman in Gaston County. On Wednesday, the two were arrested at a home on Old Carolina Mining Road outside of Stanley. Nearby East Gaston High School was placed on a temporary perimeter lockdown as a precaution.
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Officials said they are investigating the case as a homicide after the body of a 61-year-old Delia Rick was found inside a submerged car May 5 in Lake Wylie, off South Hope Road at the Seven Oaks Bridge.
Authorities said they initially believed Rick drowned in an accident, but have since determined that she had been murdered.
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(Delia Rick)
Rick recently served two years in prison for helping clean up a murder scene, but detectives do not know if that played a role in her death.
Authorities said arrest warrants were issued for 48-year-old James Michael Rick after an investigation by Belmont police and Gaston County police.
He was charged with first-degree murder.
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(James Rick, left, Melinda Robinson, right)
Gaston County police also arrested 51-year-old Melinda Kay Robinson and charged her with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
The lockdown at the school was lifted after the arrests were made.
Call the police at 704-829-4082 if you have information.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.
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