NC man charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in 'demonic crime,' police say

A man has been arrested after a woman was killed and her teenage daughter was injured in what a North Carolina sheriff calls a "demonic" crime. Gary Stephen Love, 47, is charged with murder, kidnapping and rape, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said. Deputies said they did a welfare check on Monday morning at a home near Statesville after the 14-year-old daughter sent a friend a message asking for help. Deputies said when they got to the house, they spoke with Love, who told them the woman and teen were at a funeral. Love ran away from authorities during questioning and was later taken into custody, deputies said. Deputies searched the house and found the body of a 46-year-old woman. Deputies say the teen told them she had been tied up and held inside the home by Love since Christmas Eve. She said she had not seen her mother since that day. The teen was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The Iredell County Sheriff's Office says there are indications that one or both of the victims suffered violent sexual attacks while being held. Iredell County detectives say Love had only been in North Carolina for about 90 days and knew the woman from when they were younger and lived in New York. The Sheriff's Office says Love had an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence- related charges and an active protection order against him, both from Ohio.

A man has been arrested after a woman was killed and her teenage daughter was injured in what a North Carolina sheriff calls a "demonic" crime.

Gary Stephen Love, 47, is charged with murder, kidnapping and rape, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said.




Deputies said they did a welfare check on Monday morning at a home near Statesville after the 14-year-old daughter sent a friend a message asking for help.

Deputies said when they got to the house, they spoke with Love, who told them the woman and teen were at a funeral.

Love ran away from authorities during questioning and was later taken into custody, deputies said.

Deputies searched the house and found the body of a 46-year-old woman.

Deputies say the teen told them she had been tied up and held inside the home by Love since Christmas Eve. She said she had not seen her mother since that day.

The teen was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office says there are indications that one or both of the victims suffered violent sexual attacks while being held.

Iredell County detectives say Love had only been in North Carolina for about 90 days and knew the woman from when they were younger and lived in New York.

The Sheriff's Office says Love had an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence- related charges and an active protection order against him, both from Ohio.