The body of a North Carolina man was found buried in his backyard after a concerned friend alerted police to his sudden disappearance earlier this week.
Lawrence Grabka, 69, was found dead and buried in the backyard of a home he shared with Elvin Noel Baca, 34, on Tuesday.
Grabka’s friend called the police after he didn’t answer her calls. She said that stopped by his home and found his door unlocked and all his belongings still inside.
“He’s not home, his wallet’s there, his phone is there. He has no car or license. I take him on, to his grocery shopping. I take him for all of his needs,” the friend, Katherine Roush, reportedly told the police.
New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home and conducted a search that ended with the discovery of a shallow grave in the backyard.
“The circumstances surrounding this case are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time. Our priority remains seeking justice for the victim,” Sheriff Edward McMahon said.
Baca was arrested on Wednesday and charged with murder and concealing or failing to report a death.
Roush described Grabka as “the sweetest man in the world.”
“I saw [Baca] that night, the night he probably did it,” she told WECT. “Larry wasn’t answering his phone. So I stopped in and Larry wasn’t home.”
“[Baca] was sitting in his car. He said he hadn’t seen him, and he smiled at me and told me he loved me. Yeah, I can’t get that image out of my head.”
