ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — Shane Trenier Cohen, 38, of Fayetteville was taken into custody without incident on June 18 in Warsaw, North Carolina. Cohen faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond at the Robeson County Detention Center.
The arrest is connected to the death of 33-year-old Taysha Brannon of St. Pauls, who was found unresponsive in her yard on June 12, 2025. Deputies from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Bermuda Drive, where Brannon was pronounced deceased.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident and condemned Cohen’s criminal history. “This is yet another heartbreaking example of a repeat offender, convicted multiple times in both state and federal courts, committing a heinous and senseless act of violence,” Wilkins said. He emphasized that Cohen should not have been free due to his extensive record.
The Sheriff also praised the Homicide Division and collaborating agencies for their swift work in identifying and arresting Cohen. The investigation remains ongoing, with support from various local, state, and federal agencies, including assistance from New York authorities.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case. Meanwhile, Cohen remains in custody, and the community mourns the loss of Brannon.
