Michael Jaenicke

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman whose lifeless body was found in Pink Hill, near a field located in the area of Burncoat and Jimmy Lee roads in Duplin County last week.

According to law enforcement, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office received a call on March 26 from a citizen who made the grim discovery. The caller discovered a female body abandoned in a cutdown near a field.

The Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into the tragic event and reported that the remains are believed to belong to Jamie Brooke Kennedy, who was reported missing from the Pink Hill area.

“The clothing found on the body matches the description of what Jamie Brooke Kennedy was wearing when she was reported missing on March 9, 2025,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in a social media post.

The 34-year-old woman was last seen on Maxwell Mill Road near Albertson on March 2. Authorities had previously requested public assistance in locating Kennedy, and on March 21, Duplin County Crime Stoppers offered a reward for any information leading to Kennedy’s whereabouts.

The recovered body has been sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiners’ Office for a complete autopsy to confirm the victim’s identity. The Sheriff’s Office stated that they are working in collaboration with the NCSBI in this investigation and will release more information following the completion of the autopsy.

Sheriff Stratton Stokes expressed gratitude to the Duplin County Department of Public Safety, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their support in conducting searches since Kennedy’s disappearance.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Jon Green at the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office at 910-296-2150 or the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202.

A high-profile rape trial came to an end last week as Delmus Foss Jr., 67, of Kenansville was sentenced to life in prison. The sentencing took place in Duplin County Superior Court after Foss Jr., plead guilty to rape charges dating back to 1977 and 1984, and two counts of indecent liberties with a child from 2020.

According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, as the trial unfolded on its second day with district attorneys from the Fifth Prosecutorial District presenting evidence, Foss’ defense attorney approached the prosecution, expressing that Foss wanted to end the trial and plead guilty.

The investigation began in November 2020, in Beulaville when Foss’ granddaughter, 6, reported Foss’ improper sexual conduct. According to law enforcement, during the investigation it was also discovered that similar activity took place to the victim’s sister, another juvenile, age 12. Foss was arrested in 2021 and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

The Sheriff’s Office reported that when the news of Foss’ arrest became public, two more victims came forward. The third victim was Foss’ cousin, a 54-year-old woman, who alleged she had been repeatedly raped by Foss during her childhood. Authorities later determined the rape occurred in the summer of 1977.

The DAs announcement stated that the fourth rape victim was Foss’ niece, a 44-year-old woman who also came forward after the initial investigation came to light. According to law enforcement it was determined that the woman was raped in December 1984. The victims were 8 and 11 years old at the time of the offenses. Foss was arrested on May 2021 and charged with second degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1977, and first degree forcible rape for the offense committed in 1984.

District attorney Ernie Lee shared in a press release that the case was particularly challenging due to its complexity and the need for extensive investigation uncovering the offenses dating back to 1977 and 1984.

“The investigation conducted by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office included multiple interviews of victims, daycare workers, and family members of the victims as well as travelling to various locations where the sexual assaults occurred. The juvenile victims were interviewed, examined and evaluated by the Child Advocacy Center in Greenville,” stated Lee, adding that his office dedicated many hours to preparing the case.

“This office is grateful for victims who come forward and report these crimes, even after years of suffering from such violent acts in order to seek justice for themselves and others, including family members. This was an effort made by all those involved, Sheriff Stratton Stokes and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office who conducted the investigation, the courageous juvenile victims who initiated the investigation as well as the brave adult women who ensured that Foss Jr. faced the consequences of his actions from as long as 48 years ago,” Lee wrote.

Foss was sentenced to life in prison for the rape committed in 1984, an additional sentence of 20 to 50 years for the rape committed in 1977 and two consecutive sentences of 19 to 32 months for the offenses committed in 2020. He was placed on the sex offender registry and is currently in custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

WARSAW — Wheels are in motion to develop a travel trailer campground in Warsaw. During a recent public hearing, the Warsaw Town Board approved a conditional rezoning of a parcel on Pete Quinn Road, which is located on the edge of Warsaw’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Austin Brinkley with Insight Planning & Development presented an overview of the proposed Smith Family Campground project, which would be developed on 117 acres in four phases.

The project will ultimately create a facility with 625 units, offering recreational and tourism opportunities for Warsaw.

“This proposal will contribute toward recreation and tourism in Warsaw and should have an overall positive effect on the economy. And it would provide a benefit both to the county and region as well through the provision of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, families, and travelers,” he added.

Brinkley explained that the campground will be family-oriented and open year-round from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., although hours may vary by season. There will be a full-time on-site manager available, and the campground is expected to employ 30 people when fully operational. The campground is affiliated with the Jellystone Group.

“The first phase is proposing 100 units and then 175 RVs in phases two, three and four,” Brinkley explained. “The campground is proposing to provide a lot of amenities, such as the clubhouse, the pool, cabanas at the pool area, and some recreation areas.”

Phillip Smith from Smith Family Campground stated that any extended stays will be limited to six months, with only 50% of the park designated for this purpose.

“Solid waste is going to be contracted for collection with one of the landfills within the town or county. Water is going to be extended and either provided by the county or Warsaw at the developer’s expense, so the developer is aware that they will be responsible for paying for any kind of waterline extension to the property,” Brinkley explained.

He mentioned that all parking areas and vehicle surfaces will have a minimum gravel base and will be subject to a regular maintenance schedule. Brinkley also noted that emergency services will have full access to the campground to address any public safety concerns.

The board discussed the infrastructure needs, noting that the property is currently outside of Warsaw’s sewer system. Any necessary water infrastructure may require annexation into the town. Commissioner Al Searles emphasized the importance of ensuring clarity on site-specific items, such as solid waste and water supply, to be included in the conditions to avoid future confusion. The board agreed that these specifics should be added to the agreement.