A groundskeeper initially mistook the lifeless body of a man, found at an abandoned log cabin, for a mannequin according to a report by PEOPLE.
The victim, identified as Robert Owens, 34, was discovered deceased at a residence in China Grove, North Carolina, on Tuesday, October 10. During the investigation, police learned that a groundskeeper had actually seen the body the day before but
“believed the body to be a fake dummy used for training by numerous law agencies on the property over the last few years and did not report it,”
said the police in their statement.
It was only when another worker on the property notified the police that they were made aware of the situation. An autopsy was conducted in Raleigh, which revealed no signs of assault or trauma to the body. Authorities are now awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine the cause of Owens’ death.
According to Fox affiliate WJZY-TV, Owens was found lying face down in the grass with minimal clothing. Haley Shue, Owens’ sister, said she doesn’t understand how
“you… Mow right beside someone and assume that they’re Halloween decorations at a house no one lives at.”
The family of Owens has since expressed doubts and raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Shue told WJZY that a construction worker on the property informed the family that Owens
“had cuts and scrapes on his arms like defensive wounds, his words.”
As aforementioned, authorities conducting the investigation have stated that there was no evidence of foul play has been discovered.
“It has to be,”
Shue told WCCB.
“He didn’t end up here in his socks and underwear face down.”
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
