Fund Created For Daughter Of NC Woman Killed In Alleged Murder

Updated: January 17, 2012

A fundraiser is planned for the 3-month-old baby of the woman who was killed in Hendersonville earlier this month.

The family of Shelby Sprowls Wilkie has set up a fund in the name of Sydney Anne Wilkie.

You can make donations to The Baby Sydney Fund by visiting any branch office of Asheville Savings Bank or HomeTrust Bank.  Contributions can also be made online by clicking here.

All proceeds will be used towards her care and college education.

Posted: January 6, 2012

The husband of a Henderson County woman who was reported missing on Monday has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Cpt. Jerry Rice of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said that Michael Leroy Wilkie was arrested and charged Thursday night with the murder of his wife, 38-year old Shelby Sprowls-Wilkie. 

Michael Wilkie had his first court appearance Friday morning on a first-degree murder charge.  No bond was set and he remains in the Henderson County Detention Center.

Rice said that investigators served two search warrants late this week in connection with Wilkie's disappearance. He said that the warrants were served at the Wilkie's home at 131 Moody Street in Hendersonville and then at a home owned by Michael Wilkie's father on Kanuga Lake Road.  

The evidence seized as a result of the warrants as well as other information obtained during the investigative process led detectives to the discovery of several crime scenes and remains believed to be that of Shelby Sprowls-Wilkie.

In the search warrants, it showed WIlkie had a history of domestic violence with a previous wife. They also showed Sprowls-Wilkie had told family she planned to leave Wilkie on January 4th. 

The remains were escorted by Sheriff’s Office personnel to Chapel Hill for autopsy on Friday.

Earlier in the week, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, along with the county Rescue Squad scoured the Westfelt Park after Shelby Sprowls-Wilkie's car was discovered Wednesday in the parking lot at the J&S Cafeteria on Airport Road in Fletcher.

Wilkie had been missing since Monday.

The family of Shelby Sprowls-Wilkie spoke publicly Friday evening in Asheville at Saga Communications. Shelby's sister Brandi Sprowls, her brothers, parents and family friends spoke about how much she was loved and will be missed. 

They also spoke of her love for her daughter and how she was an extraordinary mother. They encourage anyone currently in an abusive relationship to get out before someone gets hurt. 

Funeral arrangements will be made later.