GASTONIA, NC — A man accused of taking a dead woman’s car in Gastonia is now charged with her murder.
We’re learning about what happened as a family member remembers the victim.
“It’s sad now to know that she’s gone now. We’re going to miss a friend, a mother, a grandmother and a sister,” says Tabitha Robinson.
A family member discovered Adaline Maria Phillips’ body Thursday night in her home on Broad Street in Gastonia.
A few hours later, Dwayne Robinson was picked up driving her car on Stagecoach Road. Police charged him with motor vehicle theft, and after an autopsy on Phillips’ body, charged him with murder.
That autopsy showed that Maria Phillips died of a chest wound. Tabitha Robinson was related to Maria Phillips by marriage, now she is grieving her friend.
“She was the type of people that you know if she could help you, she would just help you,” says Robinson. “That’s just point blank about Maria.”
Police are not saying what Dwayne Robinson’s relationship was with Maria, but family members tell WCCB that the 47-year-old was generous and trusting and would often open her home to others.
Now they want to see justice served.
“This is a terrible tragedy here to know he’s being charged, but yeah, I do think there should be some justice because she was a mother and a grandmother,” says Robinson.
Dwayne Robinson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
