Last Updated on March 26, 2022 2:53 pm
Update Monday April 9 –Â Sheriff Len Hagaman has released the following information.
On April 8, 2018 at 3:25 pm a 911 call was received by the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office indicating that a female had been located in the 2000 block of Laurel Fork Road in the highway and that the female was bleeding heavily. Sheriff’s deputies along with Boone Fire Department and Watauga Medics responded to the 2000 block of Laurel Fork Road. Upon arriving personnel discovered a white female that was bleeding heavily with a wound to her neck area. The female was identified as Heather Hayes and she was transported by Watauga Medics to Watauga Medical Center for medical treatment.
Sheriff Hagaman reported that the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Unit immediately began investigating the reported incident. During the investigation, it was determined that two females had left the scene in a Black Toyota Truck. A BOLO (Be on the lookout) was issued by Watauga County Sheriff’s Office for the Black Toyota Truck. Evidence was collected and interviews were conducted with numerous individuals on the scene.
Officers from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office responded to 11036 NC Highway 105 South, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604, the residence of Melissa Fox. Upon arrival officers located a Black Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck in the driveway that they believed to have been used during this assault. The Black Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck was seized and towed to the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office for processing. The Black Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck was processed and DNA evidence was collected from the truck along with various personal items.
As a result of the investigation the following individual was charged and arrested.
Jessica Lynn Kirby, 29 years old, of 1280 Old John’s River Road Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Jessica Lynn Kirby was charged and arrested on April 8, 2018, with one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. She was taken before a Watauga County Magistrate and given a court date of April 27, 2018 and is currently being held in the Watauga County Detention Center under a $50,000.00 secured bond.
The Watauga County Sheriff's Department responded to a second stabbing situation of the weekend, with the latest taking place on Sunday afternoon.
Law enforcement officials were dispatched to the area of D and R Shook Road/Laurel Fork Road on Sunday afternoon around the 3pm hour, for a call regarding a female being assaulted with a knife. The alleged suspects, two females, fled the scene and a BOLO was issued for a black Toyota Tacoma, according to scanner dispatches at the time.  As Deputies arrived on scene they found a female lying on her back in the roadway. There was a vehicle parked next the female with two male occupants inside, several other individuals were standing in front of the vehicle, according to a report from the Sheriff's Office.
A man on the scene applied pressure with a towel to the neck of the female and then upon his arrival to the scene Deputy Norris immediately began aid to the female and was able to control the bleeding by the time medic arrived, the reports goes on to say. The female patient was turned over to the medic, as deputies began to get statements and secure the scene. Capt. Rominger and Detective Rollins responded and processed the scene. Deputies then began to check several locations nearby but did not locate the vehicle. Later Deputy Norris located the vehicle at Hwy 105 South. The suspect was located at the residence as well and taken into custody.
The investigation is still ongoing. WataugaOnline.com will update as more information becomes available.
The Sheriff's Department responded to another stabbing situation on Saturday night just off US-421 South near the intersection of US-421 and Holly Hills Road.