CHINA GROVE, NORTH CAROLINA: In a bizarre and tragic turn of events, the lifeless body of a North Carolina man, initially presumed to be a Halloween prop, was discovered near an abandoned log cabin.
The peculiar incident unfolded in China Grove, and local authorities have now identified the deceased as Robert Owens, a 34-year-old man whose mysterious death has raised a slew of questions, as reported by The Sun.
How was Robert Owens's body discovered?
Owens was last seen by his family on October 8, only to be found two days later, face down and half-naked in the yard of an apparently long-vacant residence in China Grove, North Carolina.
Shockingly, Owens' body was overlooked by a lawn care worker who, in a perplexing twist, mistook it for Halloween decorations or a mannequin used in K9 training.
This surreal incident went unreported, leaving Owens exposed in his underwear and socks for over 24 hours, as noted by Queen City News.
Owens' family launched a GoFundMe page for his funeral expenses, expressing their concerns about the "suspicious" nature of his death.
They are desperately seeking answers and justice, demanding accountability for those involved.
Haley Reavis, who initiated the fundraising effort, passionately questioned, "Who in their right mind mows a yard at a house that has power on and no one has lived there in a while, but the property is used for K9 training for years, can assume a half-naked dead body with scratches and glass around it is Halloween decor?"
Groundskeeper mistook Robert Owens's lifeless body for Halloween prop
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that a groundskeeper had actually come across Owens' body a day earlier while mowing the property.
Astonishingly, the groundskeeper believed the lifeless figure to be a fake dummy employed for training purposes by various law enforcement agencies that had used the property over the years.
This critical lapse went unreported, adding to the eerie nature of the discovery, as detailed in the police statement.
It was only on October 10 that another worker on the premises finally alerted the authorities about the body, thereby setting off a series of investigations into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Owens' death.
Seeking justice for Robert Owens
China Grove Police disclosed that an autopsy had been performed in Raleigh, with preliminary findings ruling out any signs of assault or trauma to the body.
To unravel the enigma shrouding Owens' demise, authorities eagerly await the results of a toxicology report, which may provide valuable insight into the cause of his untimely death.
Owens was found in a vulnerable state, face down in the grass, with minimal clothing.
His mother, Brenda Bostian, was perplexed by the notion that her son's lifeless body had been mistaken for a Halloween decoration, stating, "I don’t know how he was mistaken for a Halloween decoration or a mannequin. He’s clearly a human."
Furthermore, a construction worker on the property shared unsettling information with the family, mentioning cuts and scrapes on Owens' arms, reminiscent of defensive wounds.
This revelation has only deepened the family's quest for justice, leaving them skeptical of the initial claims that there were no signs of foul play.
In the face of this tragedy, the family remains resolute in their pursuit of answers and justice. Bostian firmly stated, "We will get justice; you will be caught."
Owens' memory lives on through his nieces and nephews, who cherished him dearly. He had even recently purchased a jacket for one of them, an act of love he was tragically unable to fulfill.
The family's quest for clarity continues, and they are determined to uncover the truth behind this perplexing case.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Owens' funeral expenses, a solemn tribute to a life cut short.
The fundraiser's description poignantly reflects the sentiment of those who loved him, declaring, "Robert we all love you and miss you dearly...may you rest in peace."
