Dismembered Body Found In Barrel On Property Of NC Man Out On Parole

A North Carolina parolee, who was already in police custody on stolen vehicle and drug-related charges, is now facing a murder charge after authorities discovered a sealed barrel on his property containing the dismembered remains of a man.

Jackie Lamar Bright, 42, was charged with one count of murder in the death of Michael Bradley Cox, 40, according to a news release from the Lee County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina. Cox was last seen on Christmas Eve.

Police said they found the victim's remains in concrete in a 55-gallon barrel in a wooded area on Bright's property outside of Sanford, North Carolina.

The barrel was sent to the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office for further inspection. The medical examiner's office removed the concrete and found a dismembered body inside the barrel, WECT reported.

As of this writing, authorities haven't released other details regarding the case, including the possible motive and how the victim and suspect were connected.

According to authorities, they had served warrants at Bright's home on Jan. 6 that turned up a stolen all-terrain vehicle, 170 grams of marijuana, opioids, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Bright was taken into custody for unrelated charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and controlled substance violations.

The sheriff's office said Bright bonded out of jail and was arrested again on Jan. 11 for parole violation and additional controlled substance violations.

The sheriff's office described the suspect as having an extensive criminal history.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected.

Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes offered his condolences and prayers to the family of Cox in the press release.

"I would like to thank Lee County Emergency Services, Moore County Emergency Services, Deep River Fire Department, Cypress Point Search and Rescue Dive Team, the North Carolina SBI, NC Trooper Association K9 unit, NC K9 ERT, Sanford Public Works, Moore County Public Works, and the dedication of the men and women of the Lee County Sheriff's Office for their hard work," Estes added.