A house fire on Swink Street in the Antioch community near Morganton, North Carolina, on August 31, 2025, revealed two deaths that investigators now describe as homicides. Joseph Kincaid Byrd Jr., 76, of Morganton, was one of the victims; Michael Curtis Hallyburton, 63, was the other. Authorities say both men suffered gunshot wounds before the blaze.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the State Bureau of Investigation and the county Fire Marshal’s Office, led the inquiry. Neighbors reported hearing what sounded like an explosion before the fire. Multiple dogs survived the incident and were turned over to animal services. A cash reward had been offered earlier for information, and investigators continued to treat the scene as an active double homicide investigation.

Does anyone in the Antioch or Morganton area have information about the Swink Street fire or the events leading up to August 31, 2025?