The Night That Shattered a Quiet Neighborhood (Image Credits: Pexels)
Roxboro, N.C. – An 80-year-old grandmother’s family discovered her lifeless body during a welfare check, marking the start of a painful chapter for Person County. Nancy Horton, known affectionately as “Nan,” had been shot dead in her home during a brazen break-in. Four years later, the perpetrators – a father and his teenage son – entered guilty pleas that brought a measure of closure.[1][2]
The Night That Shattered a Quiet Neighborhood
On September 20, 2022, family members grew concerned when Horton failed to answer their calls. They arrived at her residence on Burlington Road near Van Hook Street and found her shot to death inside.[2] Deputies from the Person County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, where evidence pointed to a home invasion gone fatally wrong.
Investigators determined that intruders had forced their way into the house, confronted Horton, and fired the fatal shot before fleeing with her car. The brutality of the attack stunned the close-knit community, where Horton was remembered as a kind and compassionate figure.[1]
Swift Arrests Follow the Crime
Authorities moved quickly. The day after the discovery, September 21, 2022, they took Roger Letroy Wilkerson into custody. His son, Troy Wilkerson, who was just 16 at the time, soon followed.[1]
Roger faced a litany of charges beyond murder, including possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed weapon, drug offenses, and multiple counts of breaking and entering motor vehicles. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation joined the Person County Sheriff’s Office at the request of local authorities to probe the case thoroughly.[2][3]
Guilty Pleas Deliver Justice After Years of Waiting
Last Monday, in Person County Superior Court, the Wilkersons finally admitted their roles. Roger pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole, plus a minimum of 10 years and 8 months for the additional felonies.[3]
Troy entered a plea to second-degree murder, along with burglary, larceny, and three counts of breaking into motor vehicles. His sentence calls for a minimum of 23 years behind bars, after which he becomes eligible for parole.[1] The State Bureau of Investigation praised the collaborative effort that led to this outcome.
A Personal Loss for Law Enforcement and Community
The case carried deep personal weight for Person County Sheriff Jason Wilborn. Horton was the aunt of his wife. In a statement, he reflected on her character: “Nancy was my wife’s aunt, and she was a kind, compassionate woman whose life was taken in an act of violence that has left a lasting impact on her family and this entire community. She is missed every day.”[1]
Wilborn supported a potential death penalty for Roger but deemed the plea deals fitting for providing certainty and finality. “While no sentence can ever restore what was taken from Nancy Horton’s family, this resolution ensures that justice is not left to chance,” he added.[1]
Key Case Timeline:
- September 20, 2022: Horton found dead in home invasion.
- September 21, 2022: Father and son arrested.
- April 27, 2026: Guilty pleas and sentencing in Superior Court.
As the Wilkersons begin their lengthy incarcerations, Horton’s loved ones continue to mourn. The pleas offer accountability, yet the void left by her absence endures in Roxboro, a reminder of vulnerability even in familiar surroundings.[1]
