First Posted: 1/15/2009

FAIRMONT — A Maxton man has been charged with assaulting his sister, who died the day after the alleged incident.
On Friday afternoon, sheriff’s Maj. Howard Branch said that Kevin Ray Dial, 33, of 1500 N.C. 71 North, Maxton, had only been charged with assaulting Michelle Dial, his 31-year-old sister who died Friday afternoon at Southeastern Regional Medical Center from head injuries she had suffered. Branch did say more charges are pending against Kevin Dial, but he did not want to say if the man would be charged with first-degree murder.
According to Branch, Dial assaulted his sister at her home at 5916 Iona Church Road home in Fairmont on Thursday, striking her in the head with an object. Branch said investigators believe that Dial used a chair as the weapon.
Branch said he did not know what prompted the assault, calling the details “vague.” He said Michelle Dial’s mother found the victim lying on the floor of her home.
“Just an argument, that’s all we know,” Branch said.
Dial is currently charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, Branch said, and he was being held on $100,000 bond in the Robeson County jail.
Branch said the Michelle Dial was not married, but that she did have three children.
The case is being investigated by Lt. Dru Martin of the Sheriff’s Office.