Update to suspicious death case

Hickory Police Investigators charged Eddie Dante Propst, 35, of Hickory with first-degree murder for the death of Laura Matthews.

Matthews was found deceased at a residence at 330 8th Avenue Southeast in Hickory early Sunday morning. She died as a result of an assault. Propst is in custody at the Catawba County Detention Center with no bond.

The Hickory Police Department continues to ask that anyone with information regarding this investigation to call the department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator D. Bailey at dbailey@hickorync.gov.

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Original Release: The Hickory Police Department is investigating a suspicious death case that began early Sunday morning when a woman was found deceased at a residence on 8th Avenue Southeast in Hickory.

Hickory officers responded to a residence located at 330 8th Avenue Southeast in reference to an injured or sick person. Laura Matthews, 29, of Hickory, was discovered deceased in the residence.

As of Monday, May 9, no one was charged in this case and the cause of death was not yet determined.

Investigators are continuing their investigation and additional details will be released as they become available.

Anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation is encouraged to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator D. Bailey directly at dbailey@hickorync.gov.