MARION, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Authorities are now saying a woman was in a vehicle driven by Ryan Ricky Houston that crashed on Interstate 40 on Thursday night and she died from stab wounds.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as Malerie Lauren Crisp, 41, of Asheville.
A news release from the sheriff’s office cited an autopsy conducted by the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Winston-Salem in releasing her cause of death.
“This is a terrible tragedy for several communities and families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved,” Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan said in the news release. “I appreciate the collective efforts from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners on this ongoing investigation.”
It is unclear when the wreck happened. Efforts to get more information from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office were unsuccessful. A spokesperson could only confirm it happened Thursday in McDowell County.
FORMER MARSHALL POLICE CHIEF KILLED IN CRASH
On Friday, McDowell County authorities said they believed Houston had forced his way into a home in McDowell County around midnight Thursday and assaulted the homeowner and stole a firearm and vehicle. The stolen vehicle was found a short time later on Interstate 40 near Exit 90.
And later Friday, a vehicle believed to be driven by Houston crashed near Exit 11 on Interstate 26 in Madison County just before 11 p.m. Former Marshall Police Chief Mike Boone was killed in that crash. Authorities are waiting for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to confirm the other driver’s identity.
MANHUNT UNDERWAY FOR HOME INVASION SUSPECT
Anyone with any information concerning Houston is asked to contact their local law enforcement or Capt. Shanon Smith with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-652-2235.