A woman who fled to Alabama after stabbing to death a Hubert man pled guilty to second-degree murder on Tuesday, more than three years after she was charged with an open count of murder in connection with his death.
Saundra Evon Wagner was sentenced to 20-25 years in prison after her guilty plea in Onslow County Superior Court.
Evidence showed that on April 7, 2019, a deputy with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office was called to 101 Chasity Way in Hubert for a welfare check after the daughter of 63-year-old James Pannoni said she had not heard from him since March.
Unable to contact Pannoni, the deputy found a truck registered to him abandoned in a trailer park with the driver’s side window rolled down and the keys still in the ignition.
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Several attempts and conversations with nearby residents took place to try and find Pannoni as investigators discovered he had been dating a woman (Wagner) who was “significantly younger than him”, according to a news release from District Attorney Ernie Lee.
On April 8, investigators located Wagner at a home in Maysville as Wagner first said she had not seen Pannoni when a Jones County sheriff’s deputy spoke with her the night before on April 7. However, Wagner changed her story and told investigators he was with her that night.
As investigators searched the home, Wagner informed them Pannoni had fled out the back door when deputies came looking for him the previous night and was picked up by an unknown female. Wagner went on to say she was the one who hid Pannoni’s truck to “go along with his plan of changing his identify and leaving the area”, the release states.
A search of Wagner’s text messages read that Pannoni was “leaving everything to her and leaving her with his credit cards because he was leaving and changing his identity,” the release states.
Autopsy: Hubert man bled out after stabbing
OCSO: Hubert man stabbed to death
Wagner told investigators Pannoni was changing his identity because he was involved in a hit and run in Swansboro the first week of April. As investigators continue pressing Wagner, the release states she “began breathing heavily and rubbing her head, and stated that she had trouble with dates and times while declining to write a statement”.
A search warrant was obtained by investigators to search Pannoni’s home. Friends and family were also interviewed as investigators gathered Pannoni and Wagner had not been dating as long as Wagner originally told them. Wagner obtained Pannoni’s bank information and incurred several charges on his credit cards.
When confronted by Pannoni, friends and family told investigators Wagner became angry and broke Pannoni’s laptop, according to the release.
Found behind the home
Investigators obtained a search warrant on April 8 to search Pannoni’s home, finding the interior to be neat and organized. However, when searching the outside of the home, they noticed a flower bed in the backyard that appeared to be new and well maintained compared to the rest of the landscaping.
The flower bed was excavated, and investigators found Pannoni dead. An autopsy showed four stab wounds to his chest, along with two cuts to his forearm, which appeared to be defensive wounds. The cause of death came from Pannoni bleeding out due to the four stab wounds to his chest.
As the investigation continued, the release states, “an individual went to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office to speak with detectives about the case. On March 31, 2019, Wagner called him and told him she had done something stupid. She stated she had used the victim’s credit card, and she wanted him to pose as the victim and speak to employees at Altitude Trampoline Park so she would not get caught.”
The person, who Lee did not identify in the news release, went on to say Wagner admitted to the murder and was attempting to leave town. Six days after the investigation began, Wagner was found in Dothan, Alabama after being involved in a car crash that left her in critical condition.
Investigators later found information downloaded to Wagner’s phone, including searches for “what if you just mix bleach and acetone”, “do I need a passport to travel to Mexico”, and “place an order to expedite your passport application”.
“As district attorney, I was with the OCSO when the victim’s body was discovered in the backyard of the residence in Hubert,” Lee said in the release. “I appreciate the hard work and professionalism of Sheriff Hans Miller and the sheriff’s office during this investigation. The work of the sheriff’s office ensured this office was able to obtain a conviction.”
Editor Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.
