Family of missing teen found dead in Candler seeks answers
By Rian Stockett
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CANDLER , North Carolina (WLOS) — The family of a missing teenager who was found deceased in Candler on Friday, Dec. 12, is speaking out.
As previously reported, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request to assist the Buncombe County Operations Center around 3:39 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at 69 Gilbert B. Crook Road in Candler regarding a deceased person.
Deputies say they identified the deceased person as 18-year-old Joseph Rose, who was reported missing earlier this month.
“They found him just the day before yesterday in Candler, outside of Asheville, in a ditch. And we’re not sure how or why. Also, the way that they found him. We’re just not sure how he ended up there and why he had no contact with us,” said Emily Ivory Rose, Joseph’s Sister.
Emily said the last time anyone heard from Joseph was Nov. 24.
An officer with the Asheville Police Department said they filed a missing person report for him on Dec. 2.
“We’re just all trying to figure everything out. It’s been really hard trying to just arrange things and just, you know, make sense of everything that’s happened,” Emily said.
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is investigating Joseph’s death. News 13 reached out to them today, asking if there’s been an update or if the BCSO knew the cause, and they don’t have an update at this time.
According to a previous report, Joseph also went missing for a brief period back in 2021.
Emily said Joseph was a free spirit who cared for everyone he met, and he’s the kind of person you only meet once in a lifetime and would always remember.
“He’s just a baby, you know, and he’s just so special. And I just always worried about him,” Emily said.
Emily said the two were very close.
“Me and him were really close growing up. And, you know, I was almost like another mom to him, you know, big sister, mom. He told me everything,” Emily said.
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