An alleged double murderer managed to evade justice for over 18 years, despite being arrested 14 times and having 288 interactions with law enforcement. The 2008 murders of Donna Barnhardt, 59, and Darrell Noles, 44, at the Sun Drop Bottling Company in Concord, North Carolina, had haunted the community as the killer remained at large.
However, a breakthrough occurred this week when Concord Police announced the arrest of 43-year-old homeless man Johnny Steven Talbert in Port Angeles, Washington, over 3,000 miles away. Investigators had issued a warrant for his arrest on two counts of first-degree murder.
The city of Concord stated that the break in the case, known locally as the Sun Drop Murders, came after "a meticulous reexamination of evidence and the pursuit of previously undeveloped leads." Detectives uncovered critical information, though officials did not elaborate further.
According to the Port Angeles Police Department, Talbert's record showed approximately 288 contacts with officers since November 2011, including 14 arrests, two of which were felonies. His criminal history includes convictions for harassment with threats to kill and harassment with threat to bodily injury.
One felony harassment incident occurred at a coffee shop in Port Angeles. Court documents reviewed by the Peninsula Daily News reveal that a barista gave Talbert water but then asked him to leave. In response, Talbert made a gun gesture with his hand and threatened to kill the barista and their family. He pleaded guilty on June 29, 2023, and was sentenced to three months in jail.
On another occasion, on February 5, 2022, a Port Angeles Post Office employee reported a belligerent man threatening customers. Police responded but could not locate him. Later, a woman identified as Talbert reported that he jumped in front of her, swore, and threatened to rip out her throat and punch her. Talbert was arrested shortly afterward for felony harassment.
In several cases, including as recently as January 16, 2025, forensic psychological evaluations stated that Talbert does not possess the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings against him or to assist in his defense.
The Sun Drop murders made national headlines after office manager Barnhardt and Noles, who was at the factory applying for a job, were shot in broad daylight around 10 a.m. on June 13, 2008. The gunman made off with just under $10,000 in the deadly robbery. A composite sketch of the suspect was released in September 2008, and in May 2009, the murders were featured on the television show America's Most Wanted. An $85,000 cash reward was eventually offered for information leading to the murderer.
News of the arrest brought back a "rush of memories" for Errol Cooper, who told the Daily Mail he had been Noles' best friend since birth. "I was excited when I heard [news of the arrest]. It's something that we've prayed over a lot over the last 18 years." However, Cooper, a devout Christian, expressed empathy for the alleged killer. "I can't imagine the way that man had to carry for those 18 years," Cooper said. "As a Christian, I believe our God has grace and mercy and redemption and justice. And it's our prayer that this young man experiences all four of those."
Noles, a father of two and grandfather of two, had recently been laid off from his job at a cable company and was seeking work at the plant when he was killed. Cooper described his friend as "the prototypical country boy" who loved hunting and fishing. "Just a good man," he added.
Officials said the suspect entered the factory and spent only a few minutes inside, carrying out the rampage and stealing $9,905.42 from vending machine change and cash from the front office. He reportedly stuffed the money into a box, ran out, and was seen by several witnesses, including Noles' wife, who was waiting for him in the parking lot.
Concord Police stated that they had contacted Talbert shortly after the killings in 2008, but he then fled the state. The breakthrough came when Concord detective Jason Higgins re-examined evidence in December and wrote to Port Angeles detective sergeant Joshua Powless, asking if he was familiar with Talbert. Powless confirmed he was, noting that Talbert was frequently contacted by Port Angeles police. "We see him daily. He's part of the transient community here. Our patrol people are very familiar with him," Powless wrote.
Eventually, Concord Police felt they had enough evidence to arrest Talbert for murder and flew to Port Angeles on May 18. Talbert was arrested three days later. He made a court appearance on May 22 and has been held without bail in the Clallam County Jail in Washington. An extradition hearing has been set for June 12.
Victim Barnhardt had three children and five grandchildren. She had been due to leave work at lunchtime on the day of her murder to go to the beach with her family. Her granddaughter, Avery Valentine, spoke to WBTV on the 15th anniversary of the killing. "It's been 15 years this year, so it's been a long time without her," Valentine said. "It made it a little extra hard this year because I graduated from college, so not having her there for that made it a lot harder."
