Ricky Cox Arrested in 2002 Killing of Betty Moore After 24 Years

High Point police arrested 61-year-old Ricky Cox on Feb. 4, 2026, and charged him with second-degree murder in the Oct. 13, 2002 death of 51-year-old Betty Moore. The case had remained unsolved for 24 years before detectives reopened the investigation and secured the arrest.

Betty Moore was killed in 2002, and her death left a lingering wound in the High Point community. Investigators kept the file active as new techniques and leads emerged, and reopening the investigation ultimately led to charges. Authorities announced the arrest, identifying Ricky Cox as the person now facing prosecution for Moore’s killing.

The charge of second-degree murder indicates prosecutors believe there was criminal intent, though it is distinct from a first-degree murder charge that alleges premeditation. Cox will be processed through the local criminal justice system and is expected to appear in court as the case moves toward arraignment and subsequent hearings. Prosecutors will present evidence and witness testimony as they build the case, and defense counsel will have the opportunity to respond in court.

For community members who remember the 2002 investigation, the arrest offers a potential measure of closure and a reminder that cold cases do not always stay cold. Families of victims and neighbors who once followed the story may find renewed attention around courthouse proceedings and media coverage. High Point police have underscored the value of revisiting long unsolved cases and the role that new leads can play in advancing justice even decades later.

Practical steps for residents include reviewing any personal records or memories that might pertain to the case, and contacting the High Point Police Department if they have information that was not previously shared with investigators. Witness recollections, overlooked details, or newly surfaced evidence can sometimes alter the course of a reopened investigation. Keeping lines of communication open with law enforcement also helps ensure timely follow up as the case proceeds.

This arrest matters to the community because it reconnects a 2002 tragedy with present-day accountability, and it reinforces the message that investigators may return to unresolved cases. As Ricky Cox moves through the criminal process, High Point will watch for court dates, evidentiary filings, and any statements from prosecutors or Moore’s family. The next chapters in this case will determine whether charges result in a conviction and how the community continues healing after a loss that spanned more than two decades.