Suspect arrested in ‘Sun Drop Murders’ cold case
CONCORD, N.C. – The Concord Police Department has identified and arrested a suspect in the nearly 18-year-old double homicide commonly known as the Sun Drop Murders.
Police say they obtained a warrant for the arrest of 43-year-old Johnny Steven Talbert of Port Angeles, Washington on May 21. He was arrested the same day and taken into custody.
Talbert is currently being held without bail in the Clallam County Jail in Washington state and awaits extradition to North Carolina. He’s charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery with a firearm or other dangerous weapon in connection with the shooting at the Sun Drop Bottling Company in Concord back in June 2008.
59-year-old Donna Barnhardt and 44-year-old Darrell Noles were found dead at the scene. Detectives believe the suspect shot and killed the victims and stole money from the front office before fleeing.
A break came in late 2025 when detectives reexamined evidence and pursued previously undeveloped leads, uncovering critical information that pointed to Talbert. On Dec. 19, 2025, Concord investigators contacted the Port Angeles Police Department regarding Talbert. Detectives traveled to Port Angeles on May 18, 2026, for further investigation, leading to his arrest three days later.
The families of Barnhardt and Noles have been notified of Talbert’s arrest. The investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is asked to call 704-920-5000 or 704-93-CRIME to remain anonymous.
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