Authorities searching a wooded area on May 20 found the body of a North Carolina insurance investigator who prosecutors believe was killed by the owner of an insurance agency she was auditing.

Police searched for Sallie Rohrbach, 44, since she was reported missing May 16. Authorities charged Michael Howell, 40, an insurance agent, with first-degree murder in her death. Chrissy Pearson, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and police confirmed the identity of the body.

“We are devastated that all hope is lost, but we also find a sense of closure in knowing that we can lay to rest our dear friend and colleague with the dignity and respect she deserves,” Pearson said. Her body was found near Fort Mill, S.C., about 25 miles away from Howell’s Dilworth Insurance Agency in Charlotte. The agency was never a member of PIA.

Rohrbach traveled 170 miles from Raleigh last week and planned to spend several days auditing the agency. Authorities said Rohrbach’s slaying was connected to her duties as an auditor and that evidence was found in both her car and Howell’s vehicle. They have released little other information, including a suspected cause of death.

May 28, 2008