Unsolved 2016 · Southwest Onslow County
Gary Ray Morton
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His story
Gary Ray Morton was 66 and owned a real estate company in Jacksonville.
On Dec. 8, 2016, a tenant reported him missing. Deputies later found some of his belongings at an abandoned house in the Gum Branch area, and his SUV was found burned near Haws Run Road and Southwest Creek. On Dec. 19, 2016, his body was found on property he owned near Weatherington Road. The Sheriff's Office says he died of gunshot wounds and blunt trauma.
In February 2025, the Sheriff's Office said new information had come in and asked the public for help. It says the case has always been assigned to a detective.
Key facts as reported
- He was reported missing by a tenant on Dec. 8, 2016.
- Some of his belongings were found at an abandoned house on Cypress Court in the Gum Branch area.
- His SUV was found burned near Haws Run Road / Southwest Creek.
- His body was found Dec. 19, 2016, on property he owned near Weatherington Road.
- In Feb. 2025, the Sheriff's Office announced new information and renewed its request for help.
- Crime Stoppers rewards up to $2,500 (as of 2022) (to confirm). No case-specific reward was found.
Agency and status
Status reflects the latest public report we found and may be out of date.