Connie Graham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years.

A guilty plea followed by a prison sentence is the court’s judgment on the admitted count. It is not an open accusation. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, Connie Graham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Sara Graham and was sentenced to 20 to 25 years, WMBF and The Robesonian reported. First-degree murder had been amended down under the plea. Felony conspiracy and evidence-tampering counts against her were dismissed as part of that agreement.

WMBF and The Robesonian reported that Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow imposed 20 to 25 years after the Wednesday plea. During the hearing, Connie Graham admitted she hit Sara Graham in the head with a hammer after an argument on Feb. 4, 2015, the day Sara disappeared from Fairmont. Sara was 18. She was declared legally dead on June 1, 2026. Connie Graham, a former Robeson County sheriff’s deputy, was charged with first-degree murder on June 25, 2026. An admission in open court is the factual basis for the plea. It is not a separate trial verdict.

Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the investigation led deputies to an area where they believe Sara’s remains were disposed of in 2015, and that remains have not been recovered. Specialized search teams and anthropology specialists remain involved, WMBF reported. A search status is not a finding that evidence has been recovered.

Connie Graham’s sons, Luke Locklear, 29, and Bobby McLellan, 42, were also arrested in June on conspiracy and evidence-related counts. Their cases are still pending, with a December appearance reported. Pending charges against other defendants are not judgments of guilt.