Investigators: Victim in Burke Co. homicide may have been dead more than week

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — On Tuesday night, deputies discovered the body of Robert Young Biggerstaff, 69, during a welfare check at a home on Sugarloaf Road.

Investigators said Biggerstaff may have been dead for more than a week inside his home.

Authorities arrested Cathy Michelle Chapman, 52, of Granite Falls, Wednesday night for felony possession of Biggerstaff’s stolen vehicle.

Chapman was placed under a $10,000 bond and told officials she wasn't involved in the homicide.

[RELATED: Officials identify man found dead in middle of 250-acre Union County field]

Neighbors said Biggerstaff kept to himself and raised hunting dogs.

A woman who helped care for the dogs told Channel 9 that he loved the dogs and took very good care of them.

Channel 9 was on scene Thursday morning as three of the hunting dogs were removed from the property by animal control. Friends told reporter Dave Faherty some of the dogs are missing.

"We don't want stuff like that here in your backyard. Hopefully they'll find out who it was and you wonder what kind of people would do something like that," said neighbor Larry Penland.

Officials have not yet released a motive behind the killing.

The sheriff said he hopes to release more information on the case after he gets the results on the autopsy.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. 

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Troopers: Toddler hit, killed by vehicle on rural Cleveland County road
• Arrest affidavit details possible motive in deadly Butler High School shooting
• Slain Butler HS student's father: 'My son lost his life over foolishness'
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Halloween forecast outlook 
• WATCH: Charlotte woman fired after video of 'harassing' rant goes viral

Cox Media Group