‘Turn yourself in:’ U.S. Marshals offering up to $10k reward for info on Conover murder suspect

CONOVER, N.C. (WBTV) - The U.S. Marshals are offering an up to $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted for a Conover murder in May.

Donald Hodges, 49, is wanted for the death of Tinikia Hodges. She was found dead in her home on May 5.

“I want him caught,” Tinikia’s mother told WBTV in May. She found her daughter’s body that day.

WBTV sat down with Tinikia’s mother Diane Bender on Tuesday, more than six months after Conover Police issued a warrant for Donald Hodges’ arrest.

“I didn’t think it would take this long,” Bender said as she reflected on the last six months without her daughter.

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Heartbroken family seeks justice as Conover police search for murder suspect]

Donald is described as a bald Black man with brown eyes. He stands about 6′6″ and weighs around 270 pounds.

Marshals said he has connections to North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New York, and could be living with family or close friends in those areas.

“It’s just a shame the way people are walking around helping him, protecting him for what,” Bender questioned. “He’s the one who hurt me! He hurt my family and everybody and he’s walking around trying to get away with it.”

Bender says even Hodge’s family wants him to turn himself in. She believes someone outside of his family is protecting him and they need to step up and turn him in.

“He knows what he did, and you just turn yourself in Donald,” she said. “I want justice for her and I want justice for whoever got him because I think they should pay as well as him.”

“It is imperative that we locate and apprehend Donald Hodges quickly to ensure the safety of our communities and help Tinikia’s family find closure,” said Acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina Chris Edge in a press release.

Anyone with information on Hodges can anonymously contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 or use the USMS Tips App.