By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE — Two brothers will spend the rest of their lives without a mother or father after the death Saturday night of Roxanne Fowler Maddry, 48.
The China Grove man charged with Maddry’s murder is in the Rowan County Detention Center tonight without bond.
Joey and Derrick Maddry lost their father years ago when he died of natural causes.
Saturday night, they lost their mother when police say Wayne Eugene Hill, 55, killed her in his home on Poplar Street in China Grove.
Hill and Maddry had been dating for years, and police say there was not a history of domestic violence in their relationship.
Maddry’s family is in shock tonight, still trying to comprehend the loss of the woman a cousin called “a wonderful mother.”
“She was just a totally good-hearted person,” Timothy Fields said from his home in South Carolina. “She was fun to be around and always in a good mood.”
Fields grew up with Maddry and said she had just returned from vacation at the beach when she went to Hill’s house on Saturday night. Hill told Maddry he had a gift for her, Fields said.
Fields said he’s never met Hill but family members had no concerns about the man, a well-known karate instructor in China Grove.
“I’m very thankful that the police department acted so fast and could get things under control so quickly,” Fields said.
The murder happened in the quiet Mill Hill neighborhood, where row after row of former mill homes stand near the old textile plant.
Neighbors Sunday morning said Hill has lived on the short dirt road for more than 20 years and was quiet and friendly.
“It’s just a shock,” said Gary Mahan, who lives across the street. “It’s crazy. Crazy.”
Kayla Stubbs said her family have lived behind Hill’s house for more than two decades and gave him fresh vegetables in the summer and the occasional cake.
“You would never see it coming with a guy like Wayne,” Stubbs said. “Such a nice guy.”
Stubbs said Hill and Maddry had been in a relationship for an extended period, and Maddry would often visit him on the weekends.
Stubbs and Mahan said they heard no sounds of a struggle coming from the house Saturday night and were surprised when police arrived, found Maddry’s body and taped off the scene, working the investigation throughout the night and early into Sunday morning.

CHINA GROVE — Authorities say they will charge a China Grove man with murder today after finding his girlfriend dead in his home Saturday night.
China Grove police and other authorities apprehended Wayne Eugene Hill, 55, this morning after an all-night manhunt at the Stanly-Montgomery County line. He was treated for self-inflicted injuries at Stanly Memorial Hospital, according to China Grove Police Chief Eddie Kluttz.
Kluttz said officers are bringing Hill back to the China Grove police station this morning for questioning and will serve him with warrants for his arrest.
Police found Roxanne Fowler Maddry, 48, murdered at 124 Poplar St. in China Grove around 7:45 p.m., Kluttz said. She had been reported missing to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
She died of blunt force trauma, according to Kluttz.
Authorities began searching for Maddry’s boyfriend, a well-known karate instructor in China Grove at Sidekick Karate, Kluttz said.
Hill wrecked his car at about 10 p.m. on N.C. 24/27 at the Stanly-Montgomery County line and fled the scene, Kluttz said.
Authorities with both counties and China Grove Police established a perimeter around a wooded area and searched for Hill through the night. At 8 a.m. today, officers located Hill and apprehended him, Kluttz said.
He was transported by EMS, escorted by China Grove officers, to Stanly Memorial Hospital for self-inflicted injuries he sustained at some point, Kluttz said.
Kluttz said his department is not aware of a history of domestic violence in the relationship. He said there were signs of foul play at the home and officers forced their way in when they arrived Saturday night. Maddry’s vehicle was at the home, he said.
China Grove officers were assisted on the scene by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and SBI, as well as the agencies from Stanly and Montgomery counties.
Check back for updates.