The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced a charge on Monday in connection to the discovery of a body found in the rural part of the county on October 15.

A release from the office said Greensboro resident Randel L. Riggsbee faces the charge of concealment of a death stemming from the discovery of another Greensboro resident’s body — Susan Margaret Horkay — in the woods off of Heron Pond Drive. Investigators said Horkay, who was 35 years old and also went by Skylar Brooks, appeared to have been dragged into the area based on “disturbances in the surrounding vegetation.” It was at that spot in the woods where a man walking his dog on the morning of October 15 found the body and called 911.

The sheriff’s office said investigators eventually came to discover that Riggsbee was acquainted with the deceased and that the two had spent time together at his residence the day prior — Saturday, October 14. Monday’s release said investigators also determined that Riggsbee has ties to Orange County and knew Heron Pond Drive, which is a residential road in the rural area west of Carrboro and south of White Cross.

Concealment of death is a Class D felony  — but more charges may be coming soon against Riggsbee, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. An initial toxicology review found traces of fentanyl and cocaine in Brooks’ blood, and an investigation into their death is still active.

“In the drug world, fentanyl is everywhere,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood in Monday’s release. “It is critically dangerous, leading to increasing numbers of overdoses and deaths. However, those who use it to lace the substances they sell do so to boost profit. My office is committed to doing whatever we can to prevent the proliferation of this drug and the deaths it causes.”

The 46-year-old Riggsbee was placed under a $75,000 secure bond during his initial appearance before the Orange County magistrate, said the sheriff’s office. He is scheduled to first appear in court on the concealment of death charge on Tuesday, October 24 at 2 p.m.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with additional information “relevant to this case” to call Investigator Gilchrist at 919-245-2928.

 

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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