US Marshals Offer $10,000 Reward For Information On Murder Suspect

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Marshals Officials are requesting the public’s assistance with locating a Conover man wanted for first-degree murder.

The suspect, 49-year-old Donald Hodges goes by two additional aliases known as Tyrone Evans and Unique Hodges. Hodges is alleged to have murdered his wife in May 2022.

Officers responded to a shooting on 2nd Street in Conover and say they discovered Brenda Bender with gunshot wounds. Bender was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On May 10th, following the incident, a warrant for the arrest of Hodges was obtained by the Conover Police Department for first-degree murder.

Officials believe Hodges fled shortly after the murder and was last seen in Charlotte on May 4th, 2022.

Hodges is a black male, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 273 pounds with a muscular build.

Further details include:

• Brown eyes,
• A full beard
• A bald head.
• Hodges has multiple tattoos on his chest and arms, including a dog on his right shoulder,
  “TNT Hardcore” on his left shoulder and “Love Shirley” on his left arm.
•  Investigators believe Hodges remains in close contact with his family and other criminal
  associates while on the run to evade capture.
•  Hodges is known to befriend and use people in order to obtain money and stay on the run.
•  Hodges has strong connections to eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New
  York.

He should be considered armed and dangerous.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Hodges’ arrest. Anyone with information about Hodges’ location is urged to call the USMS Tip Hotline at 1-877-926-
8332.