UPDATE: Kinston police identify man in suspicious Christmas Day death

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - Police have provided the identity of a man whose death on Christmas Day is believed to be suspicious.

Officials said that Kenneth Jackson, 59, of Kinston, was found dead around 4:15 p.m. at a home at 2205 Riley Road.

WITN spoke with the man’s roommate, Kenneth Wood, who said that he had returned from a Christmas party to find Jackson dead on the ground behind the home.

“To me, it looked like bite marks on his hands and knees,” said Wood describing Jackson’s injuries.

Wood said that Jackson was covered in blood when Wood returned to the home.

Wood described Jackson as saying, “A small gentleman. He weighed like 135 pounds. So whatever attacked him or who attacked him he would not be able to put up a big fight.”

Police said officers canvased the neighborhood on Monday as part of their investigation.

“This surprises me, this is a very quiet—very quiet and peaceful neighborhood,” Wood continued.

Officers say they are awaiting the results of Jackson’s autopsy.

On Sunday, police said Jackson’s cause of death was unknown and that it is being investigated as suspicious.

If anyone has information about this case, call the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.

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