Executive Summary
- Johnathan David Paleno, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Joseph Rose.
- The victim was found deceased in Candler on Dec. 12 after being missing since late November.
- An autopsy determined the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head.
- Paleno is being held without bond pending a Jan. 12 court appearance.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — A 21-year-old man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Buncombe County resident is scheduled to appear in court on January 12, 2026. The hearing follows the discovery of the victim’s body in mid-December after he had been reported missing weeks earlier.
According to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Johnathan David Paleno, of Cullowhee, faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Joseph Rose. Paleno was taken into custody on December 19 following an investigation that utilized search warrants to link him to the crime. He is currently being held without bond at the Buncombe County Detention Facility.
Investigators stated that Joseph Rose was reported missing in late November, with family members indicating he was last heard from on November 24. On December 12, deputies responded to a call at a creek along Gilbert B Crook Road in Candler, where they discovered a deceased individual later identified as Rose. Authorities believe Rose died on November 24, the same day communication with his family ceased.
A preliminary autopsy cited by the Sheriff’s Office revealed that Rose died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Investigators determined that the homicide likely occurred at a different location within Buncombe County before the body was transported to the site in Candler where it was found.
Sheriff Quentin Miller described the incident as “tragic and needless,” noting in a statement that Rose’s death marked the eighth homicide in the county for the year. The Sheriff offered condolences to the victim’s family as the investigation transitions into the prosecution phase.
Procedural Next Steps
The upcoming court appearance marks the commencement of the judicial phase in this capital offense case. Given the severity of a first-degree murder charge, the proceedings will likely focus on bail review, the appointment of legal counsel, and the establishment of a discovery timeline for evidential review. Prosecutors are expected to leverage forensic evidence and the autopsy results to substantiate the timeline of events between the victim’s disappearance and the discovery of his remains. It is important to note that Johnathan David Paleno is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
