Police hope video leads to clues

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Investigators say it could be a clue to solving the murder of a UNCC student: Mount Holly police released surveillance video on Friday of one of the last stops Irina Yarmolenko made hours before she was killed on May 5.

The video is shot from the University Goodwill on Harris Houston Road near campus.

Yarmolenko is seen taking bags of clothes and other items from her blue Saturn.

The drop-off takes only a few minutes and the video captures her driving away in her car, turning right onto University City Boulevard.

"We are releasing this video in hopes of expanding the investigation and getting any new leads," said Leslie Shiel, spokesperson for Mount Holly. "It's been used in other investigations throughout the country. Sometimes something jogs people's memory. That's what we're hoping here."

Less than three miles away and 15 minutes later, Yarmolenko makes a stop at Jackson's Java Coffeehouse on University City Boulevard.

At 1:18 p.m., her body is found near the Catawba River in Mount Holly.

Yarmolenko was also seen that morning at the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union on University City Boulevard.

Anyone who saw Yarmolenko at any of these locations or who has information about the case is asked to call the Mount Holly Police Department at (704) 827-4343 or UNC Charlotte Police at (704) 687-2200.

UNCC is offering a $10,000 reward in this case.