Murder charges filed in virginia beach case of missing north carolina man

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — A Virginia Beach Grand Jury has indicted a North Carolina man on murder charges in connection with the 2024 disappearance and death of Martell Andre Lamar, 42, of Currituck County, officials announced Thursday.

Antwaine Branch, 35, of Elizabeth City, NC, was already in custody on previous charges related to the concealment of Lamar’s body. On July 21, 2025, he was indicted for second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was served with the new indictments on July 23.

Lamar was reported missing on July 2, 2024. Investigators from the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office later found evidence linking his disappearance to a suspected fatal shooting near the Pungo Ferry Bridge in Virginia Beach. Human remains found in December 2024 in Elizabeth City were confirmed in March 2025 to be Lamar’s.

Ashley Walton, 35, of Currituck County, was previously arrested and charged with concealment of a dead body in November 2024. Branch was arrested on the same charge in January 2025.

Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate credited regional cooperation with advancing the case and securing the homicide charges.

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