Hickory Police make arrest in homicide investigation

On December 4, 2021, Hickory Police Officers responded to 2001 Startown Road, Preston Ridge Apartment 307 after receiving a call of a deceased person at the residence. Officers located homicide victim 72-year-old white male, Robert Bruce Godfrey, inside the residence.

During the initial investigation, Godfrey’s vehicle was discovered missing from the residence and was reported stolen. The stolen vehicle was recovered by Charlotte Mecklenburg PD in the possession of Abraham Adon Jr.; 28-year-old white male of Fort Mill, SC. On December 7, 2021, Adon was located by Charlotte Mecklenburg PD in possession of the stolen vehicle. CMPD attempted to stop Adon, who fled into South Carolina. Adon is currently being held in South Carolina awaiting extradition for the charges of Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle and Flee/Elude Arrest with Motor Vehicle.

On December 8, 2021, Hickory Police arrested Bryana Salymar Martines, 22-year-old white female of Gastonia for the murder of Godfrey. Martines was charged with First Degree Murder and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and is being held at the Catawba County Detention Facility under no bond.

This is an on-going investigation and additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Inv. S. Hudson directly at 828-261-2620 or shudson@hickorync.gov.