Rohrbach's body found in S.C.

FORT MILL -- Police searching in York County this afternoon found the body of state insurance investigator Sallie Rohrbach, who has been missing for nearly a week.

Authorities say Rohrbach was murdered, and they charged a Union County man with first-degree murder earlier this week.

The body was discovered about 2:30 p.m. on Vista Road, in a rural area of northern York County, off Pleasant Road. That is near S.C. 160, not far from Fort Mill.

An Indian Trail man, Michael Arthur Howell, was charged early Monday by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police with first-degree murder in Rohrbach's disappearance. Authorities have been looking for her body since then.

Rohrbach, 44, of Harnett County southeast of Raleigh, was sent to Charlotte more than a week ago to investigate the Dilworth Insurance Agency in South End. She had not been seen since last Wednesday and was reported missing Friday.

Howell, 40, was an owner of the Dilworth agency.

The state Department of Insurance issued this statement after the body was found:

"The news this evening that Sallie's body was found brings conflicting emotions to those of us at the Department of Insurance. 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. Not knowing where to find her was torturous, so at least in that regard there is some relief. We pray for peace for Sallie's family and want them to know that we grieve with them."

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say they received information late Monday that pointed toward northern York County. They say a search began in the area Monday night but was halted by darkness. They say the search resumed today and ended with the discovery of Rohrbach's body this afternoon.

Police have not said what led them to look for the woman's body in York County.

The Fort Mill Times reported that the York County Sheriff's Office forensics unit arrived at the scene about 2:50 p.m., or 20 minutes after deputies closed off the area with crime tape. Only residents living near the crime scene have been allowed past a police perimeter.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police investigators were called to the scene a short time later, and North Carolina state insurance officials also were at the scene late this afternoon.