— Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Press Release
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of Suzette Siplen for the First Degree Murder of Xavier “Peter” Vann.
Vann was located in the front yard of his residence located at 1609 Nicholas Street, Henderson N.C., on the morning of the 5th day of August 2021. It was determined that Vann was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Vann was transported to Duke University Medical Center where he later died.
Through investigative technique Siplen became a person of interest in this incident. Investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office established Probable Cause for an Arrest Warrant on Suzette Siplen on the 17th day of August 2021.
Having obtained warrants for the arrest of Siplen the investigation then focused on the apprehension of the suspect.
On the 24th day of August Suzette Siplen, age 52, was located in Durham N.C. residing in a local motel. Siplen was arrested without incident.
Siplen has been placed in the Vance County Detention Facility on a single charge of First Degree Murder. No bond has been set at this time.
Assisting with the investigation were the N.C. SBI and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.