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One of three missing in Avery County due to Hurricane Helene found deceased

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Avery County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a search operation on the North Toe River in the Ingalls community, in an area that was only accessible by foot.

Deputies were able to locate and recover one deceased female who had been missing from the Buck Hill Campground since the flooding as a result of Hurricane Helene on September 27th.

The deceased person was positively identified through dental records and confirmed to be Charlene Caroline Wilber, 70, of 516 Bowman Town Road, Telford, Tennessee.

Mrs. Wilber was one of the three remaining missing persons in Avery County. The official count for missing and deceased is currently 2 missing and 5 deceased.

“The Avery County Sheriff’s Office will continue to exhaust all efforts and follow any leads received pertaining to the remaining missing individuals as a result of Hurricane Helene. ” the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.