A Statesville man has been charged in the murder of his father, whose body was found on December 1 on Parkertown Road.

31-year-old Anthony Ryan Sharpe was arrested Friday night (December 9) and charged with murder according to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell. The victim was identified as 70-year old Earnest Carter Sharpe, Jr. Reports indicate he died of blunt force trauma. Dental records helped authorities identify the victim.

The case began last week when Sharpe was reported missing by family members. Detectives began checking places that Sharpe was known to frequent and that led them to a location on Parkertown Road. Sharpe was found in a vehicle-type tool box behind a residence. It is believed that Sharpe, a retired custodian with the Iredell-Statesville School system, was killed sometime on Nov. 22 or 23.

Anthony Ryan Sharpe was jailed in the Iredell County Detention Center without bond. A court appearance is scheduled Monday (December 12).