A North Carolina man has been charged with murdering his seven-months pregnant girlfriend after her she was found shot dead in a crashed car

James Jones, 33, was charged on Thursday over the murder of his 29-year-old girlfriend Cassia Renee Duval and their unborn daughter.

Duval's body was found in her car that was crashed in a ditch in Wayne Count, south-east of Raleigh, on January 29.

Authorities say Duval, who is the daughter of a homicide investigator in Virginia, was run off the road and died from a gunshot wound.

James Jones, 33, was charged in North Carolina on Thursday over the murder of his 29-year-old girlfriend Cassia Renee Duval and their unborn daughter

Jones was arrested two weeks after his girlfriend's body was found.

Soon after Duval's body was discovered, Jones told CBS17 that he was too distraught to be interviewed on camera but said the couple had been excited about being parents.

The couple, who lived together and dated for about eight years, had planned to name their daughter Aspen.

Prior to his arrest, an emotional Jones had described his girlfriend as energetic, goofy, athletic and fearless.

Duval's family said they were relieved about Jones being charged in her murder.

'It does bring me some relief,' her father David said, adding he wasn't surprised his daughter's boyfriend was allegedly behind it.

'Just because... the majority of the time it's someone you know.

'It's been a nightmare. The worst part that I have seen is, I have the same job as the investigators down there and I've worked these death scenes and it's just, to comprehend that being your daughter and granddaughter.'

Soon after Duval's body was discovered, Jones said the couple had been excited about being parents. The couple, who lived together and dated for about eight years, had planned to name their daughter Aspen

Authorities say Duval, who is the daughter of a homicide investigator in Virginia, was run off the road and died from a gunshot wound

Her online obituary makes no mention of her charged boyfriend.

'She was full of life, happy, energetic, outgoing and loved her daughter Aspen and family,' the obituary said.

'She looked forward to being a great mom to Aspen and spoke of the many 'firsts' she was looking forward too.'

Duval, who worked as a manager for a Waffle House, was also heavily involved in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

'She had a passion for her work place and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu family. Her love of the gym, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and competition showed her life and personality the best,' the obituary said.

Duval's funeral was held in Virginia earlier this month where she is originally from.

Jones is charged with one count of murder and one count of murder of an unborn child. He is being held at the Wayne County Detention Center.