North Carolina police arrest suspect in nearly 20-year-old double killing at a beverage distribution company
North Carolina police have arrested a suspect in a nearly 20-year-old double homicide at a beverage distribution company. Johnny Steven Talbert, 43, faces charges of first-degree murder and robbery in connection with the 2008 killings. The investigation remained cold for years until new evidence led to his arrest in May 2026.
- ▪Johnny Steven Talbert was arrested in connection with the 2008 double killing at the Sun Drop Bottling Co. in Concord, North Carolina.
- ▪He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery with a firearm.
- ▪The victims were 59-year-old Donna Barnhardt, the office manager, and 44-year-old Darrell Noles, who was applying for work.
- ▪The case remained unsolved for nearly two decades until new evidence was uncovered in 2025.
- ▪Talbert is currently awaiting extradition to North Carolina to face the charges.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
U.S. newsNorth Carolina police arrest suspect in nearly 20-year-old double killing at a beverage distribution companyJohnny Steven Talbert, 43, was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged robbery at a beverage distribution company that resulted in the deaths of 59-year-old Donna Barnhardt and 44-year-old Darrell Noles.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Police officers investigate the scene at a Sun-drop Bottling plant in Concord, N.C., in June 2008, where two people were killed during an alleged robbery.Chuck Burton / APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 26, 2026, 10:25 AM EDTBy Mirna Alsharif and Austin MullenNorth Carolina police have arrested a suspect in the killing of two people during an alleged robbery at a beverage distribution company nearly 20 years…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at NBC News — Top.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from NBC News — Top
