Body Found Along North Toe River Avery County May Be Missing Camper from Hurricane Helene

Avery County --  Authorities believe they have located the remains of a camper who went missing during the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in late September 2024.

On March 28, 2025, a debris cleanup crew discovered human remains along the North Toe River near Bent Road in the Ingalls community of Avery County. The Avery County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and recovered the decomposed body, which has since been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh for positive identification.

According to officials, the remains are believed to be those of a camper who disappeared from the Buck Hill Campground during the torrential rains and flash floods triggered by Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024. If confirmed, this would raise the number of Helene-related deaths in Avery County to six. One individual remains unaccounted for.

Anyone with information should contact the Avery County Sheriff’s Office at 828-733-5855.

WNCTimes

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