44-year-old woman found dead in King, investigation underway

In a statement released Wednesday, Stokes County Sheriff Joey Lemons confirmed the identity of Alison Willard whose body was found Tuesday on Friendship Road in King.

Willard, of King, was 44 years old. The cause of death is still under investigation, Lemons stated.

According to the sheriff, a passerby had noticed a body lying off the roadway in the 1600 block of North Friendship and called 911.

Deputies and fire department personnel who initially responded to the scene were joined by detectives with the sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted as well.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time," Lemons stated.

Anyone with any information regarding Willard's death is asked to call the Stokes County Sheriff's Office at 336-593-8787; Stokes County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8506; or Stokes County Communications at 336-593-8130 and request to speak with a deputy.