EDENTON – In December 2023, Chowan County had at least three fatal overdoses and several non-fatal overdoses within approximately 15 days, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Recently, one of the two suspects of causing the deaths pleaded guilty to charges related to the case.
The victims, Janice Chilcutt, 66, Ronald Adderly, 61, and April Tapia, 24, are believed to have died of an apparent drug overdose.
On Sept. 18, 2024, the agency arrested Steve Allen Patrick and Ja’Nyryah White, both of Edenton, in connection with those deaths after a Chowan County grand jury indicted them on Sept. 16.
On Jan 12, 2026, Steve Allen Patrick, Jr. pled guilty to two counts of Distribution and received 58-82 months active time in the NC Dept of Adult Corrections.
The case against Ja’Nyryah White is still pending.
At the request of the Edenton Police Department, SBI agents investigated the deaths of Chilcutt and Adderly. The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office asked the SBI to investigate the death of Tapia.
Tyrrell County
COLUMBIA – The Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of shots fired that occurred around 9:50 p.m. Dec. 28, 2025, in the area of Main Street and Kohl’s Street in Columbia.
Three homes, the victim’s vehicle, and the Department of Social Services building were damages from the bullets that were fired, however, no one was injured.
The agency identified two suspects, Jayden Barnes and Stewart Bond. A third suspect was in the process of being identified.
As of Jan. 14, Jayden Barnes was in custody for the shooting and being held under a $200,000 secure bond.
There are warrants issued for Stewart Bond. The victims in this incident were juveniles, so their names were not released.
This investigation is ongoing.
Edenton Police Department
Shakitta Necole Long, 48, of Johnston Street, Edenton, was arrested at 3:32 p.m. Jan 8, 2026, on felony charges of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school. A secured bond of $175,000 was set. Long was confined to the Albemarle District Jail.
Michael Terrell Dixon Jr., 29, of Cabarrus Street, Edenton, was taken into custody at 12:43 a.m. Jan. 11 on misdemeanor charges of injury to real property, injury to personal property and stalking. According to the report, Dixon broke a glass door frame and a signal light on the victim’s vehicle.No bond was set. Dixon was confined to the Chowan County Detention Center.
