KPD obtains warrant for arrest in murder
**UPDATE**
On Friday, July 16, 2021, Detectives with the Kinston Police Department were able to obtain warrants for Torrence Howard 33, of Fayetteville NC, for the murder of Gabrielle Wendt on April 17, 2021. Howard is currently in the custody of the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated Federal Charges.
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On April 17, 2021, shortly after midnight, officers from the Kinston Police Department responded to a residence on the 800 block of College Street regarding a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased person in the residence. Officers are investigating the incident as a homicide. This investigation is in the preliminary stages and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department.
The victim has been identified as Gabrielle Wendt, 29 of Kinston, NC. The incident occurred at 810 College Street. This case is still in the initial stages of the investigation.
The Kinston Police Department places the highest priority on investigating crimes of violence perpetrated in our city. We will investigate such cases with no compromise for crime, and continue to seek assistance from the community we proudly serve. If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444. Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.
