Man Sentenced in Uncle’s Death in Rowan County

CLEVELAND, NC — A man has been sentenced to decades in prison after pleading guilty in connection to the death of his uncle in Rowan County.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Stephen Buchanan entered a guilty plea on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in the death of Charles Knight.

Authorities say Knight’s remains were discovered in the backyard of his home on Johnstone Road in Cleveland on August 4, 2024. Cleveland Police had been called to the residence to conduct a wellness check when the discovery was made.

Buchanan pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including second-degree murder, concealment of a death, possession of a firearm by a felon, and four counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

He was sentenced to between 51 and 63 years in prison.

Officials say the case was the result of a joint investigation involving the State Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Police Department, and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and York County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

The SBI praised the collaborative effort, saying it helped bring closure to the victim’s family.