Wilkes County Man Convicted Of Two Murders, Given A Pair Of Life Sentences

A Wilkes County man was given a pair of life sentences for a pair of murders on Friday in Wilkesboro.

Joshua Anthony Allen, age 37 of Roaring River was convicted in Wilkes County Superior Court for the murders of Kadejuia Nichole Hamilton, 26, of Sparta, which occurred on Oct. 10, 2020; and Renee Ann Walker, 28, of Wilkesboro, which occurred on June 25, 2020.

Hamilton’s body was found wrapped in cloth in a field in Roaring River on Oct. 19, 2020. Walker’s remains were found in December 2020, also in Roaring River. Medical examiners stated that Hamilton died from asphyxiation – with a garbage bag placed over her head, and strangulation. Medical examiners stated that Walker died of gunshot wounds to the head.

Allen represented himself. Taylorsville attorney Edward Hedrick served as Allen’s court-appointed stand-by council.

The two life sentences are to be served back-to-back, officials said. He was also convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and abduction of a child.