Burke County -- April 23, 2026: Authorities have identified the deceased individual found along Interstate 40 in March as Marty Joe Bryan, 48, of Valdese.
The identification follows an investigation that began when a body was discovered on the afternoon of March 18, 2026. Mr. Bryan had been reported missing from the Valdese area just days earlier, on March 15.
Timeline of the Discovery
The incident began when the Burke County 911 Center received a call at approximately 1:10 p.m. from a concerned motorist. The caller reported seeing a person lying face down in the tall grass near the Exit 113 westbound off-ramp.
First responders from several agencies arrived shortly after the call:
Burke County Sheriff’s Office
Burke County EMS
Lovelady Fire Department
Deputies located Mr. Bryan near the Exit 113 bridge. Following the discovery, the Medical Examiner’s Office was notified to conduct an investigation into the exact cause of death.
Investigation Status
The Valdese Police Department and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office have been working in coordination since the initial missing person report was filed. While the identity has been confirmed, authorities have not yet released a cause of death or additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
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Image: Burke County Sheriff's Office