Man Charged in Death of Former PCA Pastor
By Mark Schultz, Chapel Hills News

 — A 36-year-old man has been taken into custody in the death of Kent Torrey Hinkson, the Anglican priest in Durham who was reported missing a week ago. [Hinkson served in the PCA for many years before transferring his ordination two years ago.]

Matthew Reed has been charged with first-degree murder and is in the Orange County Jail, according to N.C. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Pamela Walker.

Hinkson’s body was found in Eno River State Park in Orange County early Sunday morning and has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

“Due to the SBI being in the very early stages of the investigation, this is all the information I am able to release at this time,” Walker said in an email.

The SBI has jurisdiction because Hinkson’s body was found on state property. The Durham Police Department is assisting with the investigation.

Hinkson’s family first reported a suspect was in custody on its website.

“It is with the most profound sadness imaginable, we wanted to let you know that the body of our beloved father, spouse and grandfather – Kent Torrey Hinkson was found late last night,” the family’s message said. “A suspect is in custody. We learned of this on early Sunday morning, August 10th. Given the ongoing investigation, we cannot provide any further comment.”

Hinkson, 71, was last seen at his home in the Woodcroft community in southern Durham on Monday around 3 p.m.

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