Police have arrested a North Carolina man and have charged him with the murder of the Rev. Kent Torrey Hinkson, a retired volunteer priest at All Saints Anglican Church in Durham, NC.
After questioning by police, Matthew Green (36) led police to Hinkson’s body, hidden in Eno River State Park. He has been charged with first degree murder and is being held in the Orange County Jail pending arraignment.
Hinkson disappeared on Monday, August 4, and was last seen leaving the Wells Fargo branch bank in Durham. On Wednesday his car was discovered in the parking lot of an apartment complex approximately five miles from his home. The victim had no history of cognitive disorders and police believed the disappearance was suspicious.
Members of All Saints Church, a PEARUSA congregation, assisted police in searching for Hinkson, passing flyers round the neighborhood and canvassing potential witnesses to the disappearance.
The Hinkson family posted a message on their website on Sunday announcing the discovery of the body and the arrest of a suspect in his murder. They wrote:
Kent was a loving husband to one wife for 48 years. He was the father to 3 children and a grandfather to 8. He died at the age of 71. He pastored Presbyterian churches in Texas, California and Florida. When he moved to Durham six years ago, he was a volunteer priest at the All Saints Church in Durham. He was also a volunteer at the Bennett Place Civil War site. A visit to Kent Hinkson’s Facebook page will reveal his interests: God, family, history, philosophy, travel and global affairs, among other things. A great conversationalist, Kent could light up a room with his humor and intellect.
Jeline Hickson, the victim’s wife stated:
I was so fortunate to be married to the most wonderful man for 48 years – Kent Hinkson. He was an amazing spouse, father and grandfather to our family and a trusted mentor and friend to so many others. We are devastated by the loss and the nature of this heinous act. We are hurting immensely. At the same time, we know God has a perfect plan. We know Kent is in a much better place. We thank God for how he has been with us in the midst of this devastating tragedy. We would never be able to get through without being reassured of His promises, grace and mercy. We want to thank the Durham Police and the detective units for their professionalism and hard work. We want to also thank the community for rallying around us and drawing visibility to the disappearance of Kent. We want to thank the Body of Christ – thank you so much for your prayers and support from around the world. We ask that you remember us in your prayers in these difficult upcoming weeks and months ahead.
