UPDATE March 3, 2021: Tyrone Pair was officially transferred to the Newport News City Jail March 2 from Durham, North Carolina.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Police in Newport News say they have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 49-year-old woman in early January.
Officers found 49-year-old Sammy Lee Pair dead in a home on Old Denbigh Boulevard on January 3.
Investigators later determined it was a homicide.
On Monday, Newport News Police identified 39-year-old Tyrone Lamont Pair Sr., as a suspect in her death.
Police asked for help finding Tyrone Lamont Pair Sr. on Monday. He was wanted on one count of second-degree murder and three counts of violation of a protective order.
Tuesday 10 On Your Side’s Tamara Scott spoke with a friend of the victim’s family, Chelsea Perry.
She said the two were estranged husband and wife.
“Sammy had protective orders in place. She was breaking away from that situation permanently. She was done; she was done. And he knew she was done,” Perry said.
Perry claimed Tyrone Lamont Pair Sr. is a “sick person” and allegedly killed his estranged wife because she was breaking off the relationship.
“Sammy had a future that was taken away by a very thick, deranged person that at one point she thought was a partner,” she added.
On behalf on the family, she said the identification and arrest of the man is a relief.
“It’s giving us collectively hope that the proper steps are being taken and that justice is coming, that justice will be served,” she said.
Tyrone Lamont Pair Sr. was located in Durham, North Carolina, on Tuesday and taken into custody around 1 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. The U.S. Marshal Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and Newport News Police Department also collaborated in the investigation.
Tyrone Lamont Pair Sr. is awaiting extradition back to Newport News, police said.
Sammy Lee Pair leaves behind six children, 21 siblings and many nieces and nephews.
Late January, the family of the victim held an event calling for justice in her death.
“I fight for justice; we all are. I believe in Aunt Sammy and she believed in me too. I loved her, everybody loved her,” said one of her younger nephews.
Sammy Lee Pair’s daughter, Talethia Barnes, led a balloon release service in her honor.