Stephen Eric Buchanan, 40, pleaded guilty Thursday in North Carolina to second-degree murder, concealment of death, felon-in-possession of firearm, and four counts of obtaining property by false pretense in the 2024 killing of his 72-year-old uncle, Charles Knight—earning 51–63 years in prison.
The Crime
- Aug. 4, 2024: Welfare check at Knight’s Johnstone Road home in Cleveland (45 miles north of Charlotte) uncovered his partially buried remains in the backyard, some in a backyard burn pit.
- Buchanan shot him (firearm charge); sold uncle’s items at yard sales, drove his car.
- Brother discovered remains after smelling “dead animal” from 3-day fire, prompted police call.
Arrest and Probe
- Warrant Aug. 8; caught Aug. 12 in South Carolina on unrelated warrants, extradited.
- Motive/cause of death unclear; NC SBI led with Cleveland PD, Rowan SO.
Rowan County Judge Michael S. Adkins sentenced; highlights family betrayal in rural NC homicides. Sources: Rowan Court, WCNC, Salisbury Post, Daily Express.
