by NC WANTED Staff

Posted: Nov 6, 2008
Updated: Nov 6, 2008

WAKE COUNTY — "In the early morning hours of November 3, 2006, Jason Young brutally murdered Michelle Young at their residence," according to the complaint.

"[Linda Fisher] also seeks a determination by this Court that Jason Young willfully and unlawfully killed Michelle Young or was accessory before the fact in her murder."

The above language is in the initial filing of the wrongful death lawsuit against Jason Young, which was unsealed on election day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008, just one day after the two-year anniversary of Michelle Young's death.

The impact of this lawsuit has resulted in Jason Lynn Young being removed as the executor of Michelle Young's estate. 

"The [Wake County] Clerk of Court could see that due to the potential of this lawsuit, on behalf of a 2-year-old child [Cassidy Young] that Jason Young had a conflict," said Jack Michaels, one of Fisher's attorneys.

Linda Fisher was named the executor of Michelle Young's estate last week.  Fisher had been listed as the alternate executor, according to Michelle Young's will.

"Our client, Linda Fisher, wants to make sure that her granddaughter, Cassidy, is the sole heir of Michelle's estate," Michaels said.

Fisher's lawyers emphasized that this filing is only the beginning of a legal process that could take up to 18 months before a jury hears the case against Jason Young.

"Linda Fisher will rely heavily on evidence gathered by law enforcement to prove her case, which essentially alleges murder," Michaels added.

Sheriff Donnie Harrison told WRAL News that filing the wrongful death lawsuit against Jason Young was "the right thing to do."

Harrison's investigators have been working on the Michelle Young murder case for over two years, but the Wake County District Attorney's office has not authorized them to arrest Jason Young.

Jason Young was named a suspect in Michelle Young's murder on November 7, 2006 in a non-testimonial identification order.  The court order, signed by Judge Donald Stephens of Wake County, has never been disputed or rescinded.

Investigators for the Wake County Sheriff's Office have stated on a consistent basis that they have diligently worked to rule out all possible suspects, but they have not been able to rule out Jason Young.

Sheriff Harrison has cited Jason Young's silence and lack of cooperation as obstacles to solving the case.

In a TV episode devoted entirely to the Michelle Young case, Harrison told NC WANTED that his investigators have needed basic information from Jason Young about his wife's habits and routines, and whether Michelle may have had any enemies. 

Investigators also have wanted Jason Young to explain his activities the night of Michelle's murder.  "We simply do not know, because Jason Young has refused to speak with us," Harrison told NC WANTED.

Now, after two years of silence, Jason Young may finally be on the verge of talking.  He has less than thirty days left to respond to Linda Fisher's complaint.  He may also be subject to a face-to-face deposition by her lawyers.