Catawba County Deputies Arrest Suspect Wanted For Murder

A suspect named in a Brookford murder investigation is now in custody.

34-year-old Joshua Ray Begley, listed a homeless, was arrested by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday evening. He’s charged with murder, destroying remains to conceal death, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The charges stem from the death of 79-year-old Claude Wayne “Doc” Holsclaw. Investigators found human remains buried at a property on 4th Street Place. The remains have since been identified as those of Holsclaw.

A warrant accuses Begley of killing Holsclaw “with malice.” A second charges that he concealed Holsclaw’s death by burying his body on the 4th Street Place SW property and failing to notify law enforcement, intending to hide the death.

A third warrant alleges Begley possessed and fired a .22-caliber firearm during the commission of the killing while barred from having a gun as a convicted felon.

Begley pleaded guilty in 2020 to felony fleeing to elude arrest in Alexander County.

The suspect is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today in Newton.

Photo: Catawba County Sheriff’s Office