Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his anger over the tragic overdose death of a DeLand High School student. The incident involves a 17-year-old who has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly selling fentanyl to the victim. The victim’s loved ones discovered his body next to an abandoned house, where a groundskeeper had mistakenly mowed around it, assuming it to be a Halloween prop. The family has raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the death and is seeking answers and justice for their loved one.
The deceased individual, identified as Robert Owens, 34, was last seen by his family on October 1. Approximately a week later, authorities found his body face down and partially unclothed in the yard next to a China Grove, North Carolina, house that has been vacant for a considerable period. Queen City News initially reported the incident and highlighted the family’s concerns regarding the suspicious nature of Owens’ demise. A GoFundMe page has been created by the family to cover funeral expenses and to shed light on the unknown aspects of the tragedy.
According to Haley Reavis, who posted on the GoFundMe page, Owens’ body was left exposed and undisturbed for over 24 hours, wearing only his underwear and socks. The groundskeeper, who had the mistaken belief that the body was a Halloween decoration or a mannequin used for K9 training, neglected to report the discovery to the authorities. Reavis questioned the groundskeeper’s actions, particularly mowing a yard at a property that appeared to have power and had been utilized for K9 training purposes for years.
China Grove Police Chief Andrew Deal refuted claims that the groundskeeper believed the body to be a Halloween prop. However, he confirmed that the groundskeeper did not initially recognize the body as real. The police have stated that while there are no visible signs of foul play, the case is being treated as suspicious. The following day after the lawn was mowed, a construction foreman stumbled upon Owens’ body and promptly reported it to the authorities.
Reavis urged anyone with information regarding the case to come forward and cooperate with the China Grove Police Department. Detective C. Frantz has been assigned to the investigation and can be contacted via email at [email protected]. Authorities are actively seeking more information to piece together the circumstances surrounding Owens’ tragic death.
The incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of fentanyl and its impact on communities, particularly among young people. The tragic loss of a high school student highlights the need for increased awareness and efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
