After two days in captivity, Statesville girl’s text led deputies to her mother’s body

An Ohio man has been charged with murder after Robin Denman, 46, was found dead in her Statesville house Monday.

Deputies from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office believe Denman’s 14-year-old daughter had been tied up and held captive in the house for two days before they arrived.

Deputies came to the house on Cool Springs Road early Monday morning after Denman’s daughter texted a friend saying she needed help. The friend’s family called authorities.

Gary Love, 47, answered the door at Denman’s house and said she and her daughter had gone to a funeral. Love then tried to run away but was caught and arrested.

Deputies found Denman’s body concealed inside the house.

Denman’s daughter told deputies she hadn’t seen her mother since Christmas Eve, when Love tied up the daughter.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office expects Love will be charged with multiple forcible sex offenses along with murder.

Detectives believe Love had only been in North Carolina for about three months but knew Denman beforehand. In Ohio, Love had an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence charges and had a protection order against him.

This story was originally published December 27, 2016 at 12:55 PM with the headline "After two days in captivity, Statesville girl’s text led deputies to her mother’s body."