DURHAM, N.C. -- Esther Barbee heard police found a body at a construction site Monday morning. She then learned it was Edward Abdullah, 63.

  • Police charged Marquez McMillian, 18, with the murder
  • Barbee says authorities told her Abdullah was most likely an innocent victim
  • Authorities also told her the murderer may have used a brick or cinder block to beat her brother to death.

“I had no clue that it was my brother,” she told Spectrum News.

Police charged Marquez McMillian, 18, with the murder. He remains in jail without bond. Police believe he killed Abdullah, stole his car, and dumped his body at the construction site on South Alston Avenue. However, Barbee says she's forgiving the teenager.

“It's going to be difficult to forget what he did. If we don't forgive him, it'll just fester, I think, in us,” Barbee said.

Barbee says authorities told her Abdullah was most likely an innocent victim. Authorities also told her the murderer may have used a brick or cinder block to beat her brother to death. Abdullah leaves behind a son, grandson, and many relatives still coping with his lost.

“When you could speak of someone and think about all the things that they did, with love...I think we'll get there. It's going to take time but I think we'll get there,” Barbee added.