CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- Documents may link the death of a North Carolina man to the Michael Vick dogfighting case, authorities said Wednesday.

Roy Melton was found dead six months ago in his Catawba County, N.C., home by friends.

After searching the property, detectives found 33 pit bulls, training equipment, dogfighting tools, and meticulous records--all signs of a major dogfighting operation.

Sheriff’s Department Maj. Coy Reid said Wednesday there may be a connection between this dogfighting operation and the Michael Vick dogfighting ring that was run out of Virginia.

Reid said the names of several dogs found in the Vick indictment are also mentioned in the records found at the Melton property.

Reid also said investigators have other evidence of a connection, but didn’t release any more details.

North Carolina is mentioned 28 times in the Vick indictment.

The former Falcons quarterback accepted a plea deal on federal dogfighting charges and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 20.