Last Updated on July 1, 2026 7:35 am
HAYS — A rural mail carrier was shot and killed while on her route in Wilkes County last Friday, and a Roaring River man is charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.
The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to 304 Monteith Acres Road in Hays at approximately 4:15 p.m. on June 26 after a call about a shooting. Deputies arriving on scene found Brandi Byrd Reynolds, 35, of Roaring River, dead. The United States Postal Service confirmed Reynolds was killed while on the job as a rural letter carrier.
William Craig Durham, 56, of Roaring River, was arrested in connection with the shooting. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation charged Durham with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. He appeared before a judge Monday and was ordered held without bond. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the NC SBI, the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. No motive has been released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Postal Inspector Jessica Adams at 704-329-9138.
Neighbors who spoke with WXII12 News described Reynolds as a “wonderful mail lady who went above and beyond to help them by bringing packages to their doors.” Over the weekend, neighbors gathered for a prayer circle in her memory.
Reynolds was born May 19, 1991, in Wilkes County. She was a member of Roaring River Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Bayla Faith Reynolds and Adalyn “Addy” Hope Reynolds; her mother, Kathy Byrd of Roaring River; two sisters, Tesca Byrd McNeil of Newburn and Jessica Byrd Bauguess of North Wilkesboro; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel, 270 Armory Road, North Wilkesboro. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Roaring River Baptist Church Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at reinssturdivant.com.
