MORGANTON, N.C. – The Burke County Sheriff, in cooperation with other law enforcement and governmental agencies, is announcing a combined reward of up to $94,700.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the death of Rhonda Hinson.
In December of 1981, nineteen-year-old Rhonda Hinson was returning home from a Christmas party when she was shot inside of her car while traveling towards Valdese on I-40 West to the Mineral Springs Mountain Road exit. Her death remains unsolved at this time. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have, between them, spent thousands of hours over the past 44 years investigating her death. Today, the Sheriff is announcing an increase in the amount of the reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction for murder in this unsolved case to up to $94,700.00, consisting of combined amounts being offered by three agencies.
“The Ronda Hinson Murder Investigation is still very much an open case. It’s been 44 years since Rhonda Hinson’s murder. That is 16,060 days that her family and friends have lived with unanswered questions. 16,060 days that her mother and father have missed their only daughter and the life she would have lived, and they have lived with that loss every day. The Hinson family deserves answers, and we believe that someone has information that could lead to the arrest and provide the closure that they deserve”. Sheriff Banks Hinceman
The Burke County Sheriff is offering $40,000.00, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is offering up to $25,000.00 (with the amount to be determined by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Governor), and Morganton/Burke Crimestoppers is offering up to $29,700.00 to be paid to any person who can provide credible information that leads to the arrest and conviction for murder of the person(s) responsible for the death of Rhonda Hinson. Any person providing such information could be required to testify in Court.
The Burke County Sheriff has a dedicated tip line solely for the Rhonda Hinson case. If you have credible information, please call (828) 764-9549. You can also go to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office App to submit a tip on the Rhonda Hinson tab on the app. You can download the app by going to the App Store on your mobile device and typing in Burke Sheriff NC. It’s a free app.
The Burke County Sheriff is appreciative of the partnership with Crimestoppers and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to increase the potential reward available.
