Former employee among 3 charged in death of man in Seagrove house fire

A former employee was among three Asheboro people arrested in connection with the death of a man found in a house fire near Seagrove two months ago.Debra Raegan Dorsett, 23, Jesse Levon Martin, 32, and Dannie Deddie Smith, 27, were charged with murder following the death of Elden Kitson Vanderwal, 71.Vanderwal was found dead around 4:20 a.m. August 23 inside his home on Brewer Road, about 10 miles south of Seagrove in Moore County.An autopsy determined Vanderwal had been murdered before the fire was started, Moore County deputies said. The home was destroyed in the fire.The property also includes a business called Lantern Hill Pottery, which Vanderwal ran. Dorsett was formerly employed at Lantern Hill Pottery, and Martin is her boyfriend, deputies said.All three suspects were held without bond in the Moore County Detention Center pending Nov. 25 court appearances.No more arrests are expected, deputies said.

A former employee was among three Asheboro people arrested in connection with the death of a man found in a house fire near Seagrove two months ago.

Debra Raegan Dorsett, 23, Jesse Levon Martin, 32, and Dannie Deddie Smith, 27, were charged with murder following the death of Elden Kitson Vanderwal, 71.


Vanderwal was found dead around 4:20 a.m. August 23 inside his home on Brewer Road, about 10 miles south of Seagrove in Moore County.

An autopsy determined Vanderwal had been murdered before the fire was started, Moore County deputies said. The home was destroyed in the fire.

The property also includes a business called Lantern Hill Pottery, which Vanderwal ran. Dorsett was formerly employed at Lantern Hill Pottery, and Martin is her boyfriend, deputies said.

All three suspects were held without bond in the Moore County Detention Center pending Nov. 25 court appearances.

No more arrests are expected, deputies said.