05/27/2026
$500,000 bond, death by distribution + 2nd Degree Murder arrest 6 months after causing victim’s death. Well done Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, N.C.
Suspect Charged and Arrested on Death By Distribution Case
On November 20, 2025 Deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Windy Hill Dr. in reference to a cardiac arrest. The victim, Pauline Shumpert Scott, was pronounced deceased by EMS on scene. After arrival on scene, the investigations and forensics division were requested and responded to conduct interviews and process the scene.
Over the course of the next few months investigators conducted numerous interviews and continued to work the case diligently.
On May 11, 2026 the case was presented to a Grand Jury in Rutherford County and a true bill of indictment was returned on Kathryn Diane Morrison for 2nd Degree Murder and Death by Distribution.
On May 19, 2026 Kathryn Diane Morrison was located and arrested. Morrison appeared before a District Court Judge on May 20, 2026 and received a $500,000 secured bond.
(As a reminder, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty)
