North Carolina man’s remains found in 55-gallon barrel filled with concrete

Lee County, North Carolina, detectives made a gruesome discovery last month after finding the dismembered body of a man who went missing at the end of 2022 in a barrel filled with concrete.

Detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office say they executed a search warrant at a home in Sanford, North Carolina, as well as an adjacent plot of land on Jan. 25, 2023. The search took two days to complete, and on the second day, detectives spotted a 55-gallon drum in a heavily wooded area.

The sheriff’s department said in a press release that the drum contained concrete and what detectives suspected were human remains.

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The barrel was confiscated and sent the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office for inspection.

While there, the medical examiner found a dismembered body after removing the concrete from the barrel.

The body was that of Michael Bradley Cox, who was reportedly missing since Dec. 24, 2022.

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Jackie Lamar Bright, who lived at the residence that was searched, was arrested and charged by the sheriff’s office with murdering Cox, according to authorities.

At the time of his arrest, Bright was on parole for unrelated charges of possessing a stolen vehicle and possession of drugs on Jan. 6, 2023, police said. He posted bond and was arrested again on Jan. 11, 2023, for possession of drugs and violation of parole.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is active and additional charges are expected to be filed.

“I would like to thank Lee County Emergency Services, Moore County Emergency Services, Deep River Fire Department, Cypress Point Search and Rescue Dive Team, the North Carolina SBI, NC Trooper Association K9 unit, NC K9 ERT, Sanford Public Works, Moore County Public Works, and the dedication of the men and women of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work,” Sheriff Brian Estes said. “I would also like to extend my condolences and prayers to the family of Michael Bradley Cox.”