In a remote wooded area of Pisgah National Forest in Madison County, North Carolina, hunters stumbled upon human remains on October 28, 2023, triggering a federal investigation.
The remains were discovered off Stackhouse Road, north of Marshall, North Carolina.
The hunters, upon discovering the body, immediately contacted local authorities, prompting the involvement of the FBI since the remains were found on federally owned land.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, alongside FBI agents, ventured into the secluded area to secure the scene and begin their investigation.
The identity and cause of death of the individual are yet to be determined. The remains are being sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to aid in the investigation. The FBI’s Evidence Response Team meticulously processed the site to preserve the remains and collect any available evidence.
Several agencies collaborated on the recovery operation, including the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Walnut Fire Department. The coordinated effort underscores the seriousness and complexity of the investigation.
Pisgah National Forest, spanning over 500,000 acres, is a vast expanse of rugged terrain in the western North Carolina mountains, featuring whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The remoteness of the area adds a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Early speculation linked the discovery of the remains to the case of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari, who disappeared in November 2022. Diana Cojocari, Madalina’s mother, and her stepfather were arrested for failing to report her disappearance. Deputies had previously seen Diana Cojocari in the vicinity of where the remains were found. However, the Cornelius Police Department, leading the search for Madalina, indicated that early indications suggest the remains belong to an older person, diminishing the likelihood of a connection to her case.
While the community awaits answers, the federal investigation continues, with the commitment to preserving the site’s integrity and uncovering all available evidence.
