Authorities: Youngs in Financial Trouble Before Slaying Posted: Jan. 11 12:17 p.m. Updated: Jan. 11 9:50 p.m. Raleigh — Michelle and Jason Young were in financial straits before she was beaten to death two months ago, according to a court document released Thursday. Michelle Young, 29, was killed in their Wake County home Nov. 3. She was pregnant at the time of her death, and her 2-year-old daughter was found unharmed by her side. Authorities haven't made an arrest in the case. Although no suspects have been named, investigators have obtained fingerprint, footprint and DNA samples from Jason Young to compare with evidence found at the crime scene. The request for such evidence, which was made four days after the slaying but released Thursday, stated that authorities feared any physical injuries Michelle Young's assailant might have suffered would heal quickly and that investigators discovered the Youngs were experiencing financial difficulties. "The deceased was covered by a substantial life insurance policy with (Jason Young) as the beneficiary," the document said. "The deceased was pregnant and was making plans to cut back on her employment following maternity leave." Michelle Young was a senior financial consultant in the Tax Department of Progress Energy, where she had been employed for three years. Jason Young, 32, worked for Sentric, a medical equipment wholesaler in Raleigh, before taking another job in medical sales with ChartOne last summer. The couple purchased a $379,000 home in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision south of Raleigh in May 2005. They also owned a townhouse on Arete Way where they had lived for two years after marrying in 2003. The court document doesn't disclose how investigators knew of Michelle Young's plans. Sources close to the investigation said the life insurance policy could pay out between $1 million and $2 million. It is unclear whether a settlement has been paid on policy, but the insurance company has the right to depose Jason Young before paying out on the policy. "It sparks an interest in us," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said of the couple's financial situation. The court document also stated that Jason Young isn't cooperating with investigators. Search warrants returned in the case last month said he was having a relationship with a woman in Florida, a sorority sister of Michelle Young at North Carolina State University, for three months prior to his wife's death. "If he was cooperative with us and talked to us, it would certainly help us," Harrison said, adding that no one has been ruled out as a suspect in the case. The Young murder is the cover story on the issue of People magazine that is expected out on newsstands Friday. Reporter: Amanda Lamb Photographer: Chad Flowers Web Editor: Matthew Burns http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1133617/

Posted on Fri, Jan. 12, 2007 Husband of slain pregnant woman asked for DNA Husband of slain woman is focus of homicide investigation RALEIGH Wake County investigators searching for the killer of a slain pregnant woman are focusing on her husband, citing the couple's financial problems and a "substantial" life insurance policy that he stood to benefit from upon her death, according to documents made public Thursday. Michelle Young, 29, a senior tax consultant at Progress Energy who was five months pregnant, was found dead by her sister Nov. 3 in the couple's home on the outskirts of Raleigh. The Youngs' 2-year-old daughter, Cassidy, was at her mother's side, unharmed. No one has been charged. Investigators obtained a court order Nov. 7 requiring her husband, Jason Young, to provide footprints and fingerprints, photographs, and samples of blood, saliva and hair, said the court order released Thursday. They wanted to compare the material with footprints, skin-cell evidence and other DNA evidence collected at the crime scene, it said. "There are reasonable grounds to suspect" that Jason Young killed his wife because of the couple's financial difficulties and the life insurance policy, states the court order signed by Wake County Deputy Sheriff D. Scott Booth. Previously released warrants said Jason Young was in a relationship with another woman in Florida in the months before his wife's death. -- associated press http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/16442202.htm

Young Murder Featured in Magazine Eyewitness News and The Associated Press (01/12/07 -- RALEIGH) - As the investigation continues in the murder of Michelle Young the nation is learning about the murder mystery. A story about Michelle Young is in the new issue of People Magazine. Sheriff's deputies found Young's body inside her Wake County home on November 3, 2006. She was bludgeoned to death and her young daughter was left in the home with her body. Michelle Young, 29, was also five-months pregnant. The new issue of People takes a close look at the case. It also interviews family members, friends of Michelle and friends of her husband, Jason. Investigators say Jason Young has not cooperated with their investigation. The issue of People goes on sale Friday. Husband is Focus of Probe Wake County investigators searching for Young's killer are focusing on her husband citing the couple's financial problems and a "substantial" life insurance policy that he stood to benefit from upon her death, according to documents made public Thursday. Michelle Young, was a senior tax consultant at Progress Energy when she died. The documents are also shedding new light on why authorities were so eager to talk with Young's husband, Jason. Investigators believe who ever killed Michelle probably was injured and that any injuries to her attacker might heal quickly. Jason Young has not spoken to investigators since his pregnant wife was found. Investigators obtained a court order Nov. 7 requiring her husband, Jason Young, to provide footprints and fingerprints, photographs, and samples of blood, saliva and hair, said the court order released Thursday. They wanted to compare the material with footprints, skin cell evidence and other DNA evidence collected at the crime scene, it said. "There are reasonable grounds to suspect" that Jason Young killed his wife because of the couple's financial difficulties and the life insurance policy, states the court order signed by Wake County Deputy Sheriff D. Scott Booth. The document also says Michelle Young planned to cut back her hours at Progress Energy. Previously released warrants said Jason Young was in a relationship with another woman in Florida in the months before his wife's death. Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison says Young has refused to cooperate with the investigation of his wife's death. No one has been charged in this case. http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4929747

Autopsy: Slain Woman's Skull Fractured Posted: Jan. 22 12:54 p.m. Updated: Jan. 22 5:43 p.m. Raleigh — Michelle Young was beaten numerous times and suffered a fractured skull when she was killed in early November, according to the autopsy report, which was released Monday. Young, 29, was found beaten to death in her Wake County home on Nov. 3 with her 2-year-old daughter unharmed by her side. Young was five months pregnant at the time of her death. The autopsy report shows she died from blunt force trauma to the head after being hit at least 10 times, but it also suggests her killer tried to strangle her before beating her to death. She had injuries to her neck consistent with manual strangulation, the report said. Several of Young's teeth were knocked out in the attack, and her jaw was broken, according to the autopsy. She also had bruises on both hands and a cut on her left thumb, the report said. "You've got to think she suffered with the type of injuries described here. It's just a brutal murder," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. "You never get accustomed to (murder scenes) no matter how long you do it, but the first thoughts in my mind, did the little girl see this happened?" Despite the appearance of defensive wounds on her hands and the fact a hair was found in her hand, authorities haven't said what they have learned from the autopsy that might help their investigation. "There was a struggle, and let me just stop at that," Harrison said. Authorities have investigated her husband, Jason Young, in the case, but they haven't named him as a suspect. According to search warrants, Jason Young had a relationship with a woman in Florida for several months before his wife's death. The Youngs also had financial difficulties, and Michelle Young had a sizable life insurance policy, according to search warrants. Jason Young said he was out of town on a business trip at the time of his wife's death. Authorities said he had refused to cooperate with the investigation. He and his daughter have moved to western North Carolina to be closer to his family. Reporter: Amanda Lamb Photographer: Chad Flowers Web Editor: Matthew Burns http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1175401/

Michelle Young suffered brutal beating By Thomasi McDonald, Staff Writer Michelle Young’s killer struck her more than 10 times in the head, neck and shoulders and then strangled her, the state Office of The Chief Medical Examiner reported today. Young, 29, a mother who was several months pregnant when she was killed, died of blunt force trauma to her head, according to the preliminary autopsy report. The blows were so numerous, the medical examiner’s office had to place them in groups based on the region of the body injured, the report shows. The report indicated that someone fractured Young’s lower left jaw. Blows to her head caused multiple skull fractures. More beating left at least 13 lacerations on the back of her head, which caused extensive swelling. Medical examiners found evidence of hemorrhaging in the brain. Fingernail marks pitted the left side of her neck. Her lips were also extensively bruised and swollen. Young was found beaten to death Nov. 3 inside the home south of Raleigh that she shared with her husband, Jason Young, and their toddler daughter. Young was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, T-shirt and black pants at the time of her death. Both her head and clothing were bloodied, according to the report. The beating Young endured was so severe, several of her teeth had been knocked out. A single strand of hair stuck in blood was found in her left hand. Medical examiners preserved the hair as evidence, the report said. No arrests have been made in the case, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not named a suspect. From the beginning, much of the sheriff’s investigation of the case has focused on Jason Young. Sheriff Donnie Harrison has described Jason Young as uncooperative in the effort to find his wife’s killer. According to search warrants made public over the past two months, Jason Young was ordered by a court to submit blood, saliva, fingerprint samples and DNA evidence to compare with evidence left at the scene of his wife’s killing. Wake investigators also obtained warrants to search Jason Young’s 2004 Ford Explorer after seeing what they described as a possible blood droplet on the floor of the vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies also seized Jason Young’s laptop computer and cell phone records after learning that he was the beneficiary of a “substantial” life insurance policy covering his wife. Court records also alleged that Jason Young was involved in a romantic relationship with another woman and was in almost daily contact with her in the months leading up to Michelle Young’s death. Staff writer Thomasi McDonald can be reached at 829-4533 or tmcdonal@newsobserver.com. http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/535009.html

Young Homicide Case Turns to the Web Posted: Feb. 7 7:43 p.m. Updated: Feb. 7 8:34 p.m. Raleigh — Wake County authorities investigating the beating death of a Wake County mother interviewed a local businessman who wrote on his blog his experience viewing autopsy photos in the case, the blogger says. The blogger, who identifies himself as "RPD," describes in detail what he saw in each of the 27 photos taken of Michelle Young, 29. It's been three months since Young's sister found the pregnant mother dead inside her home with her young daughter, unharmed, at her side. Investigators still have not named a suspect in the case. On the Web, there are thousands of entries and blog posts from people like RPD who are interested in the case. Many bloggers write that they are frustrated that there has been no arrest, despite the fact that investigators have clearly put some focus on the victim's husband, Jason Young. Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby says investigators are in no rush to make an arrest but that they are focused on a proper and thorough investigation. In an era of hour-long television crime dramas, such as CSI, he says, the public needs to understand that it takes more than 44 minutes to solve a case. "It takes a lot of self-discipline not to just jump at something where there might be probable cause but to get all of the information out and make sure they don't go off half-cocked," Willoughby said. More and more investigators, in general, are also using the Internet as a tool to help solve cases. Willoughby believes investigators venture into cyberspace, not out of desperation, but because they want to leave no stone unturned. "I would expect that the investigators look at everything to try to determine what could be a credible lead and follow it," he said. Although investigators questioned RPD about his blog post, the Wake County Sheriff's Office will not say what role the Internet has played in helping them with the Young case. As for RPD, sources close to the case say they do not believe he is connected to Young's death. RPD admits that intrigue was his motivation to see the photos, because his neighbor was a friend of Young. He says that despite his screen name, he is not a Raleigh police officer. Reporter: Amanda Lamb Photographer: Chad Flowers Web Editor: Kelly Gardner http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1196458/

Witnesses: Michelle Young Upset About Husband's Trip to California Posted: Today at 12:50 p.m. Updated: 21 minutes ago Raleigh — According to information obtained from search warrants, Michelle Young, who was found dead on Nov. 3, was upset over her husband's trip to California. Young, 29, was found beaten to death in her Wake County home with her 2-year-old daughter unharmed by her side. She was five months pregnant at the time of her death. According to the search warrants, authorities talked to two witnesses during the course of the investigation. One witness told investigators how "Michelle was very, very pissed off" about a trip made by Jason Young to California in 2006. In the search warrant, another witness told investigators that Michelle Young was stressing about money and things her husband would do. The witness also told authorities some details about Jason Young's trip to California. Jason Young said he was out of town on a business trip at the time of his wife's death. Authorities said he had refused to cooperate with the investigation. The search warrants also state that authorities took seven computer disks from the couple's home, including one labeled "California Vacation 2006," but it is not yet known what information was on those disks. http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1201054/

Warrant Lays Out Possible Problems in Slain Mom's Marriage Posted: Feb. 12 12:50 p.m. Updated: Feb. 12 6:45 p.m. Raleigh — A slain Wake County mother found dead in her home late last year was upset over a trip her husband had taken to California, according to a search warrant made public Monday. Authorities seized seven computer disks from the couple's home, including one labeled "California Vacation 2006," according to the warrant. Two of the disks were blank, and the rest contained photographs. Investigators did not say who is in those photographs or what their relevance is to the case. A witness, who was only identified in the affidavit attached to the warrant as "Witness A" told investigators that Michelle Young, 29, was "very, very pissed off" about the trip, which Jason Young took sometime in 2006. Sources close to the case say that Jason Young took that trip with family members that did not include his wife or daughter. Michelle Young, who was five months pregnant, was found beaten to death on Nov. 3 with her 2-year-old daughter, unharmed, by her side. An autopsy report showed she died of blunt force trauma to the head and that she had been strangled. Another person -- identified as "Witness B" -- told investigators about the California trip, although the detective did not specify those details in the affidavit. The witness said Michelle Young was also "stressing about money and things Jason would go out and do." The warrant goes on to say there is some "importance of the events around (the) October-November 2003 time frame when the couple got married," but would not say whether it is significant to the case. Records indicate the couple married on Oct. 10, 2003. Their daughter, Cassidy, was born March 29, 2004. Jason Young, authorities have said, was out of town on a business trip when his wife's body was found, but he has been a focus of the investigation and has been uncooperative, according to earlier court documents. Authorities, however, have not named him or anyone else a suspect in the case. Earlier warrants state that Jason Young was having a relationship with one of his wife's sorority sisters, who lives in Florida, for at least three months prior to Michelle Young's death. None of the court documents say whether Michelle Young was aware of that relationship. Reporter: Amanda Lamb Photographer: Bobbie Eng Web Editor: Kelly Gardner http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1201054/

Former Detective: Young May Have Known Her Killer By Tamara Gibbs (02/13/07 -- RALEIGH) - Wake County investigators say Michelle Young's murder was not random, but they still have not named a suspect. Former homicide detective Chris Morgan was the lead investigator in the Eric Miller murder case, a Raleigh husband who was poisoned with arsenic. His wife, Ann Miller,was later convicted of the crime. Prior to his retirement, Morgan helped to solve the rape and murder of Stephanie Bennett, a North Raleigh resident found dead in her apartment. Morgan says Wake County Sheriff's investigators are likely being careful and deliberate about this case because of the type of killer they're dealing with. "Overkill is a tell-tale sign when you're doing crime scene analysis," said the former Raleigh Police investigator. An autopsy report reveals the 29-year-old Wake county wife and mother was strangled and brutally beaten until her jaw was broken and her teeth shattered. Morgan says her attacker used more force than was necessary to kill a petite pregnant woman. "That sometimes tends to indicate that there is a personal relationship between the offender and the victim," said Morgan. Some crime experts also consider it a sign of murder with emotion. With 30 years of experience cracking some of Raleigh's highest profile murder cases, Morgan is no stranger to gruesome crime scenes like the one investigators spent two weeks probing at Michelle Young's upscale home in the Enchanted Oaks subdivision. Morgan believes Young died at the hands of an impulsive killer, someone who was acting in the moment. Morgan says they left behind three important clues: there was no forced entry in the Young's home, the victim was severely beaten and her two year old daughter was left unharmed at the crime scene. That supports investigators' early claims that the crime was not random. While suspicion surrounds Young's husband Jason Young, he maintains he was out of town on business when his wife was murdered. Wake County investigators stop short of naming him as a suspect while publicly criticizing him for not cooperating with the investigation. As part of a special court order, Jason Young has submitted DNA samples and fingerprints for the investigation. Investigators won't say whether that was to include or exclude him from the pool of suspects. Search warrants reveal the Youngs were dealing with financial problems. Also, documents reveal Jason Young may have been in a relationship with another woman in the months leading up to Michelle Young's murder. "You always ask why," Morgan said. "If this person isn't cooperating then why aren't they cooperating?" That's a question Morgan predicts investigators are likely trying to answer in addition to the most important question of all: Who killed Michelle Young? http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=...&id=5028855

Therapist Ordered to Disclose Records in Michelle Young Case Posted: Feb. 22 12:02 p.m. Updated: Feb. 22 7:07 p.m. Raleigh — In a rare legal move, a therapist has been ordered to disclose records from therapy sessions she had with a slain Wake County mother leading up to her death. According to the order, issued last Friday by Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens, Kimball Jane Sargent has information relevant to the homicide investigation of Michelle Young. The Wake County District Attorney's Office said Sargent and her attorney have complied with the order and are fully cooperating with investigators. Young, 29, was beaten to death inside her home near Raleigh. Her sister found her body inside her home on Nov. 3. Stephens issued the order Feb. 16 after Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Holt petitioned him to require Sargent to appear before the court. Under North Carolina law, the state can ask a therapist to turn over records and answer questions about therapy sessions if "the disclosure is necessary to a proper administration of justice." "We have someone who died a violent death, and it appears she sought counseling shortly before that time," Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said. "The closeness in time to her death heightened our interest and we thought it would perhaps provide insights." Stephens questioned Sargent in his chambers and decided that what she knows is important to the case. "We felt like we could leave no stone unturned, and this is something that might provide us some insights into who the perpetrator was," Willoughby said. Investigators have spent part of their investigation focusing on Young's husband, Jason Young, but have not called him a suspect in the case. Sargent said she cannot talk about the case, but said she counsels people in a variety of matters, including family matters. Part of her practice also involves contracts with companies where she provides counseling for employees through workplace programs. Michelle Young was a senior financial specialist at Progress Energy in Raleigh. Sources close to the case suspect Michelle Young might have talked to Sargent about problems in her marriage. Psychologist Michael Teague, who is not involved in the Young case, says confidentiality is paramount for therapists. He says, however, there are rare exceptions. "I would imagine that the client would have wanted this to come out given the subsequent set of events," Teague said. "I think in this case, it is appropriate when you see a situation like this." Reporter: Amanda Lamb Photographer: Chad Flowers Web Editor: Kelly Gardner http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1211049/