Man Accused With Killing Iredell County Mother, Tying Up Daughter, Will Face Death Penalty

UPDATE:  Following a rule 24 hearing in Iredell County, authorities say Gary Love will face the death penalty.

IREDELL COUNTY, NC – An Iredell county mother is found murdered, her teenage daughter tied up, in what the Sheriff calls a “demonic” crime.
“We woke up Monday morning to cops and everything going on. it’s just a shock.
it’s really a shock,” says neighbor Becky Tayse.
47-year-old Gary Love is in jail, accused of murder, rape, and kidnapping.
Investigators believe he killed 46-year-old Robin Denman over Christmas weekend and tied up her 14-year-old daughter inside a home on Cool Springs Road.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell says there’s evidence one or both of them suffered violent sexual attacks.
“It’s hard to imagine any human doing this to another human,” Campbell says.
The Sheriff says the 14-year-old girl managed to send a text message to a friend early Monday morning, leading deputies to do a welfare check at the home.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind that the Deputy surprised our suspect when he showed up at the residence,” Campbell says.
The Sheriff says Love made up an excuse and ran out the back. Deputies found him soon after, as well as the 14-year-old girl who had escaped as Deputies pulled up.
“God was looking out for her and I mean that’s the only way you can say it,” Tayse says.
Deputies found Denman’s body in a back room.
Investigators say the girl was taken to the hospital and is now staying with other family members.
“You have to hope for the best for her. And that she can overcome this,” Tayse says.
The Sheriff says Love also had an outstanding warrant in Ohio. He had only been in the area for around three months.
Investigators say he may have known Denman years ago.