Court News

Authorities find investigator's body near Charlotte, N.C.

Authorities searching a wooded area on Tuesday found the body of a North Carolina insurance investigator who prosecutors believe was killed by the owner of an agency she was auditing.

Police had been looking for 44-year-old Sallie Rohrbach since she was reported missing Friday. Michael Howell, 40, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death.

Charlotte Police and Chrissy Pearson, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Insurance, confirmed the body's identity.

"We are devastated that all hope is lost, but we also find a sense of closure in knowing that we can lay to rest our dear friend and colleague with the dignity and respect she deserves," Pearson said.

Her body was found near Fort Mill, S.C., about 25 miles away from Howell's Dilworth Insurance Agency in Charlotte.

Rohrbach traveled nearly 170 miles from Raleigh last week and planned to spend several days auditing the agency. When family and co-workers didn't hear from her by late last week, they called police.

Authorities said Rohrbach's slaying was connected to her duties as an auditor, and that evidence was found in both her car and Howell's vehicle. They have released little other information, including a suspected cause of death.

Earlier Tuesday, Howell made an initial court appearance, where a judge denied his request for a public defender.

Public defender Susan Weigand appeared with Howell and argued he cannot afford to pay for two attorneys, as he would be entitled as a defendant in a capital murder case.

The request was denied. District Court Judge Bill Constangy - citing Howell's $6,000 monthly income and $7,200 in expenses - ruled he has enough income to pay for his own defense.