Over 28 years after the killing of Margaret Lois Bell in 1996, the case is now closed. Kenneth Delton Locklear was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with Bell's murder, Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said at a news conference Feb. 17.

Locklear is accused of stabbing 45-year-old Bell to death at her home on Dec. 4, 1996. 

In April 2021, homicide investigators obtained DNA from Locklear after a search warrant was issued. On Feb. 5, 2025, the state lab asked for the resubmission of a piece of evidence. On Feb. 13, homicide investigators were notified of the state lab findings, and Locklear was arrested and charged with Bell’s murder. 

"Under our system of justice, every person is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law," the Robeson County Sheriff's Office said.

Wilkins said investigators are dedicated to finding the suspects of all cold cases.

"Go ahead and admit what you've done, let's get it over with," Wilkins said. "Bring some closure to these families."