NC NC - Valdese, unknown decedent found in a culvert by cleanup crew Nov '25

[AbandonedNC]

https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/burke-county/human-skeletal-remains-found-by-workers-clearing-debris-in-burke-county-town-police-say/

Skeletal remains found near Burke County creek, investigation underway

“I’m just hoping that they can find out who it is and maybe help the family put some closure to it."

www.wsoctv.com

This is a strange one. A commercial drainage/irrigation cleaning crew found a skeleton two blocks from the main street and pretty much within eyeshot of the Valdese town hall. No clothing, no ID of any kind. Police chief says the remains have been there "for some time." No further information released yet.

Valdese might ring bells for some of you, it's the town where Rhonda Hinson was killed in 1981. It's a tiny town, very close knit. There are a number of people from a town called Morganton that's about 10-15 minutes up the road who are actively missing.

Jason Shuford is the only "local" missing case I can think of. He went missing an exit south off I-40 in 2018. It would have been a grueling walk but if he made it the 10 miles up Mineral Springs Mountain road and took several turns he could have ended up in the area where these remains were found.