Executive Summary
- The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded the death investigation of Joseph Solomon Rose to a homicide case.
- Rose, 18, was found deceased near a residence in Candler on December 12.
- The reclassification follows preliminary autopsy results received by detectives on December 16.
ASHEVILLE — The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has formally opened a homicide investigation following the death of an 18-year-old male found near a residence in Candler, North Carolina.
Authorities identified the victim as Joseph Solomon Rose, who was discovered deceased on December 12. Initially classified as a death investigation, the case was upgraded to a homicide inquiry on December 16 following the receipt of preliminary autopsy results, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. The BCSO has not yet released specific details regarding the cause of death cited in the preliminary findings to protect the integrity of the ongoing probe.
Investigative Outlook
The reclassification of this case signals that forensic evidence points to foul play, necessitating a shift in resources toward a criminal investigation. Law enforcement will likely focus on establishing a timeline of the victim’s movements and soliciting witness testimony from the Candler community. At this stage, no suspects have been publicly identified. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
