Police are investigating Raleigh man’s disappearance as a homicide
Update: Raleigh police said Sept. 17, 2020, that the body believed to be Andy Banks was found in Virginia. Justin Merritt has been charged with his murder. For more on this story, see here.
The case of missing person William Anderson “Andy” Banks is being investigated as a homicide, according to a news release Wednesday by the Raleigh Police Department.
“Based on investigative findings, foul play is suspected,” wrote RPD in the statement. This comes after detectives charged Justin Fernando Merritt Tuesday morning with felony charges connected with Banks’ disappearance. He was taken into custody in Danville, Virginia.
Banks, 39, went missing Saturday near Cameron Village in Raleigh, where friends said he had gone to sell a silver Range Rover.
“Andy was a super fine, loving, affectionate human being,” his father, Bill Banks, told The News & Observer on Tuesday. “He had more friends than I ever dreamed of having, and they thought the world of him. They’re all completely devastated. He was a wonderful person. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. As far as I know, he’d never even been in an altercation.”
Merritt was extradited to Raleigh Wednesday morning and had his first appearance in court in the afternoon, reported ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner. Merritt is being held on a $2 million secured bond, ABC11 reports.
Merritt has not been identified as a suspect in Banks’ homicide.
A 911 caller told a dispatcher Saturday that Banks had arranged to meet someone in the parking lot of the former K&W Cafeteria at 2 p.m. and that he would never go six or seven hours without calling.
Warrants for Merritt’s arrest were issued by RPD Monday on charges of robbery, larceny of motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm.
According to one warrant, obtained by the N&O’s news partner, ABC11: “The defendant committed [the car theft] by means of an assault consisting of having in possession and threatening the use of a firearm ... whereby the life of William Anderson Banks Jr. was threatened and endangered.”
Warrants also show that Banks’ phone was found on a road in North Carolina, after he was expected to meet Merritt, ABC11 reports.
One warrant notes that Merritt was previously convicted of a felony burglary in 2013 and sentenced to 10 years.
The Range Rover was located Monday in Danville. In its statement, RPD has directed anyone with information that may help in locating him to call 911.
“My wife and I have a strong faith,” his father said. “Our faith will get us through this. We’re strong, but we’re struggling.”
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 1:32 PM.
