Body identified as missing NC resident who vanished after meeting man on social media

A body found in Georgia was identified as a North Carolina resident who vanished in January, officials say.

KC Lee Johnson’s remains were found Jan. 18 on the banks of the Savannah River, according to an April 4 Wilmington Police Department news release. North Carolina police worked with Georgia officials to identify her.

Police said Johnson, 27, had been reported missing on Saturday, Jan. 14 after last being seen on Friday, Jan. 13 in Wilmington. Investigators determined that she was killed Jan. 13, the department said.

William Haven Hicks, 26, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping after Johnson’s death, according to Wilmington police. He and Johnson met on social media prior to her death.

Loved ones shared tributes for Johnson on social media.

“I can’t sleep.. this wasn’t supposed to happen, you didn’t deserve this,” one person wrote on Facebook. “You ARE and always will be a beautiful person, inside and out. You deserved nothing but good things.. you will be missed greatly by so many. I love you.”

“No body deserves any of this especially KC. The most caring loving giving person I have ever met,” another post read.

This story was originally published April 4, 2023 at 3:34 PM.

Moira Ritter

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Moira Ritter covers real-time news for McClatchy. She is a graduate of Georgetown University where she studied government, journalism and German. Previously, she reported for CNN Business.