Rose Zolman
Her brother was stabbed and didn't make it, the family business burnt down, Rose was beaten badly but survived. She was then killed in what police are calling a hit and run.
28-year-old mother killed in hit-and-run was previous victim of unsolved violent beating
STEDMAN, N.C. — A hit-and-run that killed a mother in Cumberland County is now being investigated as a homicide.Rose Zolman's body was found in May along a secluded stretch of Sandy Creek Road just outside of Stedman.
The crash happened between midnight and 3 a.m., according to State Highway Patrol.
Her sister is fighting to keep her memory alive, adding fresh flowers to the base of the cross that marks the spot where Zolman died – and trying to uncover the truth behind her sister's death.
This isn't the first time Zolman has been struck by tragedy. In 2020, Zolman made headlines on WRAL News after she was beaten 'beyond recognition' in her own home while her toddler Willow was in the house with her.
At the time, Zolman's sister Monica Simpson said she was hospitalized on a ventilator, fighting for her life with multiple breaks to the face, stab wounds and lacerations, broken bones in her hands and jaw. Her mouth was wired shut, and she was missing teeth.
At the time, officials didn't have a description of the suspect, which made the case difficult. Simpson says no one was ever charged in that case.
Now, only two years later, Simpson is suspicious about her sister being killed in a hit-and-run. She's not sure if the two cases are connected, but the case is now being treated as a homicide.
Simpson says her sister didn't live far from where she was hit, but has no idea why she was walking along the road so early in the morning.
Local News28-year-old mother killed in hit-and-run was previous victim of unsolved violent beatingPosted 8:44 p.m. Jul 7, 2022 — Updated 9:31 p.m. Jul 7, 2022
By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter
STEDMAN, N.C. — A hit-and-run that killed a mother in Cumberland County is now being investigated as a homicide.Rose Zolman's body was found in May along a secluded stretch of Sandy Creek Road just outside of Stedman.
The crash happened between midnight and 3 a.m., according to State Highway Patrol.
Her sister is fighting to keep her memory alive, adding fresh flowers to the base of the cross that marks the spot where Zolman died – and trying to uncover the truth behind her sister's death.
This isn't the first time Zolman has been struck by tragedy. In 2020, Zolman made headlines on WRAL News after she was beaten 'beyond recognition' in her own home while her toddler Willow was in the house with her.27-year-old mother 'beaten beyond recognition' in her home still fighting for her life27-year-old mother 'beaten beyond recognition' in her home still fighting for her life
At the time, Zolman's sister Monica Simpson said she was hospitalized on a ventilator, fighting for her life with multiple breaks to the face, stab wounds and lacerations, broken bones in her hands and jaw. Her mouth was wired shut, and she was missing teeth.
At the time, officials didn't have a description of the suspect, which made the case difficult. Simpson says no one was ever charged in that case.
This 27-year-old mother was beaten 'beyond recognition' while her 2-year-old daughter was in the home.Now, only two years later, Simpson is suspicious about her sister being killed in a hit-and-run. She's not sure if the two cases are connected, but the case is now being treated as a homicide.
Simpson says her sister didn't live far from where she was hit, but has no idea why she was walking along the road so early in the morning.
"Somebody knows something," she says. "We need somebody to say something. To give our family closure. To give us answers."
Zolman's daughter Willow, now 3, is now staying with her father.
"She was the best person to be around. She was a firecracker," says Simpson. "She was a beautiful mother. Bright blue eyes. Blond hair. Could have been a model."
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is asking residents who live in the area to check their home security cameras for possible suspect information. The family is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and a conviction in the case.
