AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING WOMAN’S DEATH

By Jon Mayhew [LINCOLNTON] – Authorities are investigating the death of a 32-year-old woman that happened on Thursday.

Around 9:40am, Lincolnton firefighters, police, rescue and EMS were called to a residence in the 200 block of Oak Street.

Laura Shelton was found inside a bedroom, not breathing according to a Lincolnton Police Department report.

Shelton was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives said there didn’t appear to be any foul play involved in Shelton’s death.

Police discovered an empty prescription bottle inside the victim’s pocketbook.

Friday, police were again summoned to the scene for a disturbance where Shelton’s mother – Vickie Kiser – was attempting to get her daughter’s Social Security card.

According to Officer Billy Burgin, Lt. Randy Willis spoke with Shelton’s mother.

“Ms. Kiser advised Lt. Willis that she needed the card to bury her daughter,” said Burgin.

Shelton’s roommate, Jane Thomas, told the caregivers of the property not to let anyone inside the residence until she returned home.

Kiser told police she came by the residence on Thursday night and was given problems by a Monika Lee Bankston.

“Ms. Kiser told me Monica Bankston didn’t have any involvement in the matter,” said Burgin.

Bankston came out of her residence and started verbally assaulting people including Kiser.

At that point, Burgin placed Bankston under arrest for causing a disturbance. According to Burgin, the suspect wasn’t going down without a fight.

“She began pulling away from me,” said Burgin. “I was finally able to handcuff her and put her in my patrol vehicle.”

Bankston was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was taken to the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $1,500 secured bond.

Through a court order, police escorted Kiser into her late daughter’s residence to retrieve the card and other personal items..