Human remains found in Smithfield

The remains of a missing Rowan County man, Elisha Walker, have been found outside of Smithfield, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Walker was reported missing in October 2014. Walker’s vehicle was found completely burned in November 2014, according to the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.

Several leads led investigators to establish 23-year-old Angel Arias as a suspect in the case.

Arias was living on Hemlock Drive, Salisbury, at the time of Walker’s disappearance. Investigators learned about a home in Johnston County as a possible location for Walker’s remains. Wake County Sheriff’s Office provided a K-9 to assist in the search of the property. A small depression was found and excavated, and law enforcement discovered human remains. The remains were taken to the state medical examiner’s office in Raleigh for an autopsy.

Angel Arias was already being held in the Johnston County jail on unrelated drug charges and is now awaiting transport to Rowan County. Arias has been charged with murder and felony larceny of a motor vehicle.

Law enforcement said that Arias is a known member of the Latin Kings street gang.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 2:56 PM with the headline "Human remains found in Smithfield."