Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From Pitt County Sheriff’s Office

At 6:12 a.m. on the morning of February 22, 2025, Pitt County deputies responded to a possible domestic disturbance at The Travel Store located at 6634 Clarks Neck Rd. in Washington (Pitt County).

When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a deceased female on the ground. The deceased was identified as 37-year-old Lijena Victoria Hickman of New Bern.

Another female on the scene was identified as 24-year-old Saraya Dejana Richardson of New Bern. Richardson was detained for further investigation. The two females are known to each other.

During their investigation, detectives discovered that a vehicle occupied by Hickman and Richardson arrived at The Travel Store at approximately 3:40 a.m. It appears that Hickman was deceased shortly after pulling into the store’s parking lot.

There is no record of Richardson calling 911 or calling anyone else seeking help for Hickman. The first call 911 received was from a neighbor at 06:12 a.m., after they were awakened by barking dogs.

Detectives obtained a warrant charging Richardson with one felony count of Conceal/Fail to Report Death. She was presented to a magistrate and was denied a bond due to her currently being out on bond for charges in Craven County.

Richardson had a first appearance hearing on Monday, Feb. 24. The investigation continues and no further information is available at this time.