Murder Suspect Back in North Carolina

Matt Boster

Viewed: 4390

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Apr 16 2019 7:53 AM

Onslow County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Services
717 Court Street ∙Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-3113

UPDATED RELEASE: 4/15/2019

NEWS RELEASE

On April 9, 2019 Onslow County Sheriff’s Office released information that James Pannoni was found deceased at his residence,101 Chasity Way in Hubert. Mr. Pannoni was the victim of a homicide and autopsy results concluded that the victim died after being stabbed.

During the late evening hours of April 7, 2019, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were requested to conduct a welfare check on James Pannoni, at 101 Chasity Way. The request came from the Truro Police Department in Massachusetts where Pannoni’s daughter, Kellianne had reported her father missing. Deputies responded to the Chasity Lane residence and found no one home, no vehicles in the driveway and nothing appeared to be out of place. Later that evening, a uniform patrol deputy found James Pannoni’s vehicle abandoned near 147 Hubert Blvd with the driver’s side window rolled down and the keys in the ignition. The vehicle, a tan 2000 Toyota Tundra was parked in between two abandoned trailers near the Patriot Place Mobile Home Park. 
The investigation quickly identified Saundra Evon Wagner as the primary suspect in this incident. Pannoni and Wagner had been involved in a domestic type relationship in months prior to this incident. Detectives attempted to interview Wagner, but Wagner fled the area before deputies could locate her. Sheriff’s detectives continued to investigate the incident and were able to obtain warrants charging Wagner with one Open Count of Murder in the death of Pannoni.

On April 13, 2019, Sheriff’s deputies received information that Wagner was in Dothan, Alabama at a local shopping center. Deputies contacted Dothan Police and requested their assistance in attempting to locate Wagner. Dothan Police arrived at the location and observed Wagner driving through the parking lot. Officers attempted to stop Wagner, but a short car chase ensued with Wagner wrecking her vehicle and she was apprehended. Wagner was transported to a local medical center with non-life-threatening injuries. Wagner is facing charges in Alabama related to the car chase in addition to being extradited to Onslow County upon her release. A schedule for Wagner’s extradition is pending.

Detectives have established a motive for the crime but this and other details of the investigation will not be released pending the ongoing investigation and the upcoming court proceedings.

In addition to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, the Onslow County District Attorney’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Dothan Police Department assisted with this investigation. 
The Sheriff’s Office is still asking anyone with knowledge of Mr. Pannoni’s association with Wagner to contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division. 
Crime Stoppers offers cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that is deemed of value or assistance to law enforcement. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and never have to reveal their identity.

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