1Caldwell County, NC – A man and woman are accused of murdering a 75-year-old Vietnam War veteran and hiding his body before returning to steal from him. Tara Jackson and Cecil Ray Traylor Jr., both 35, face murder charges in the death of David Mize, as confirmed by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office this week.

On Tuesday, deputies conducted a welfare check at Mize’s home on Swinging Bridge Road and discovered signs of foul play. An investigation identified a second location in Catawba County, specifically Valley Hills Mall, as the site where Mize’s body was reportedly placed in the trunk of his car.

The vehicle was later located in a tow lot in Caldwell County, neighboring Catawba County. Following the alleged murder, Jackson and Traylor returned to Mize’s residence to steal items.

Bo

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