Rickey Harper arrested in Pennsylvania for murder of NC coach

Rickey Harper, 60, has been arrested in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Sheremy Gwenette Dillard. Dillard, 57, was a prominent high school basketball coach and recovery teacher in North Carolina.

Dillard was found dead from stab wounds in her Raleigh home on August 13 following a welfare check requested by her family. Investigators utilized Flock camera technology to track Harper’s vehicle as he fled North Carolina, leading to his apprehension by the Plymouth Township Police Department in Pennsylvania.

Dillard served as the inaugural head coach for the girls’ basketball team at Felton Grove High School in Apex and previously spent 17 years as the head coach at Carrboro High School. In 2023, she was recognized as the Northern Lakes Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.