Timothy Locklear
Timothy Locklear

MAXTON — A Maxton man has been charged with murder in the death of a woman whose body was found Sunday, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

The body of 23-year-old Evelina Dial was found in woods behind a home on Nina Road, off of Modest Road, at about 2:45 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from Sheriff Kenneth Sealey.

Dial was the mother of 3-year-old Manal Abdelaziz, who accidentally shot himself at his father’s South Lumberton convenience store, Brother’s Minnit Shop, on Jan. 10.

The cause of Dial’s death is being determined by an autopsy.

Timothy Wade Locklear, 27, of Shady Lane in Maxton, was arrested early Monday morning and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree rape, burning personal property for setting fire to Dial’s clothes and altering and destroying evidence. He was denied bond for the murder charge and given a $100,000 bond for the additional charges.

Sealey said Locklear and Dial knew each other and Dial had lived on Modest Road.

No other information was released.

“The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Major Crimes detectives have an active and ongoing investigation in this case,” the statement said. “I know the family and the citizens are eager to know more about our investigation. Please understand that publicly sharing details of our investigation could be harmful to the integrity of our investigation.”

Timothy Locklear
Timothy Locklear

Staff Report