Free Republic

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. -- Two men have been arrested and charged with murder in the death of UNC-Charlotte student Irina Yarmolenko. Mark Bradley Carver and Neal Leon Cassada Jr. were arrested at about 4:30 a.m. Friday. They are charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy. Mount Holly police held a news conference on Friday morning, but investigators would not release details on what led to the arrests or a possible motive in the case. "This is a good day for all law enforcement involved in this case and our investigation continues to move forward," said Chief David Belk. "We hope...

CHAPEL HILL - Even after she went to Charlotte for school, Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko spoke to her mother, Yelena, almost every day. On May 4, the pair made plans for Ira to return home to Chapel Hill that week. She had just turned 20 but couldn't come any sooner because of exams. Expecting to hear from her the next day, Yelena Yarmolenko instead got a knock on the door at dinnertime from a police officer: Her daughter's body had been found on the banks of the Catawba River next to her car. "I don't think what I'm living is called...

When 20-year-old Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko was found dead on the banks of the Catawba River in Mount Holly four months ago, members of the Gaston County Police Department were among the first on the scene. For one, Gaston County Police thought Yarmolenko's body might be in their jurisdiction and, second, the description of her body matched the description of another young woman that disappeared from Gastonia on April 8 - Jamie Michelle Fraley. Gaston County Police Sgt. Christie Rhoney said investigators searching for Fraley have compared notes with Mount Holly investigators looking for Yarmolenko's killer and Gastonia detectives searching for...

Some of you may have heard about the murder of UNCC student Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko. She wasn't a close friend of mine, but during the time I knew her she probably poured me a gallon of coffee at the coffee shop where she works. She was murdered on May 3. The killer has not been found, and I'm not even sure if there are any leads. Any prayers for justice for her, and for comfort for her family would be greatly appreciated.