NC Gov. Josh Stein offers rewards for information in two unsolved cases
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gov. Josh Stein offered $25,000 for information in Cynthia Hansen’s killing.
- NC offers up to $25,000 for information in Angela Hamby’s 1982 disappearance.
- General Assembly starts short session on Tuesday, Stein will make new proposal.
Good morning, it’s time to read about North Carolina politics. I’m Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan, and this is our Under the Dome newsletter focused on the governor.
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein offered thousands of dollars in rewards this week for information about an unsolved murder that happened in March and an unsolved missing-person cold case. Governors are able to offer state-funded rewards for unsolved cases like these. Here are the two latest.
Reward for information about killing in Whiteville in March
The state is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to arrests and convictions in the murder of Cynthia Hansen on March 11 in Whiteville.
Hansen, 71, was fatally beaten at her business, Stronger Body Fitness on North Thompson Street, officials say. Hansen was still alive when police arrived and gave a few details before she later died of her injuries at Columbus Regional Healthcare System hospital.
WECT reported Friday that Whiteville police have received several tips and are offering an additional $2,000 reward for information.
If you have information about the case, call the Whiteville Police Department at 910-642-5111 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500.
Cold case reward in 1982 disappearance in Wilkesboro
The state is also offering a reward of up to $25,000 if you share information that leads to arrests and convictions of the perpetrators responsible for the disappearance of Angela Hamby.
Hamby, then 20, disappeared in Wilkesboro on Oct. 29, 1982. Officials say she left her home to run errands about 9:30 a.m. that day and did not return home later that evening. Her mother reported her missing, and police found her car around 12:15 a.m. on Oct. 30, 1982, parked on the side of Glenn’s Tastee Freeze. An initial reward of $5,000 was offered in 1982 by the late Gov. Jim Hunt.
If you have information about the case, contact the Wilkesboro Police Department at 336-667-7277 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500.
“We must use every tool at our disposal to pursue justice for victims,” Stein said in a statement.
“I urge North Carolinians who have information about cases like this one to contact local law enforcement and help us provide closure to victims’ families,” he said.
General Assembly returns Tuesday
The General Assembly begins its legislative short session on Tuesday, and Stein is expected to make his third proposal this year for spending. Lawmakers failed to send Stein a budget in 2025.
Here’s some legislative preview coverage to catch up on:
- Budget standoff confronts returning NC lawmakers, but new unknowns are in the mix
- Put property tax cap on NC ballot and close housing loophole, lawmakers say in report
- NC lawmakers are back in session next week. See how much they made in 2025
- NC lawmakers use campaign funds for travel, rent and dining. Is that allowed?
And be sure to listen to our Under the Dome podcast. I host a new episode that posts every Tuesday, and we’ll be talking about the upcoming legislative session.
Thanks for reading. Reach me at dvaughan@newsobserver.com or the entire politics team at dome@newsobserver.com.
This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "NC Gov. Josh Stein offers rewards for information in two unsolved cases."
