Man pleads guilty to manslaughter after remains found in Stokes County confirmed to be man Winston-Salem police believe was murdered

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Jerry Jonas Caudill pled guilty on Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter, concealment of a death and possession of a firearm by a felon in the death of Zackary Voshall New, according to a statement released by the office of Forsyth County District Attorney James O’Neill.

Caudill was sentenced to around 8 to 11 years in the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections.

New was reported missing by his mother on Oct. 23, 2023. She said she had not heard
from her son since Sept. 14, 2023. His mother had sent him a Facebook message on Sept. 27, 2023, which remained unread.

She began driving around town looking for him and talking to people at a homeless camp who knew him. She was told he might be dead.

The missing person’s report turned into a murder investigation after police received credible information that New was likely dead.

Investigators then learned from witnesses that New and Caudill had a dispute because the two had broken into a home and stolen several items, and Caudill didn’t want anyone to know.

Caudill began to “pistol whip” New. On the second blow, the gun fired.

It is unknown if the gun was accidentally or purposefully fired.

The police were unable to locate the remains of New until April 24 when Caudill with his lawyer present gave a statement to the police which resulted in the remains of New being located in Stokes County.

Caudill has been in the Forsyth County Detention Center since his arrest on Dec. 13, 2023.

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