Authorities confirmed two teens found dead near a power-line easement were shot. Families believe the victims are Lyric Woods & Devin Clark.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that two teenagers found dead in the western part of the county were shot, and investigators are now treating the case as a double homicide.
In a press release sent to The North Carolina Beat Monday morning, sheriff’s officials said the bodies of two young people were discovered Sunday afternoon near a power-line easement, just before 3 p.m.
While authorities have not yet officially identified the victims, family members took to social media, stating they believe the victims are 18-year-old Devin Clark and 14-year-old Lyric Woods, who had both been reported missing days earlier.
Missing Teens Found Dead
According to investigators, the teens were last seen together on Friday. Their disappearance sparked growing concern from loved ones as hours turned into days with no contact.
The grim discovery was made by two men riding four-wheelers, who stumbled upon the bodies while traveling through the area and immediately contacted authorities.
Sheriff’s officials said the victims were a white female and a Black male, both believed to be under the age of 20. Investigators later confirmed that both had suffered gunshot wounds.
Sheriff Confirms Homicide Investigation
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood confirmed Monday that his office is actively investigating the deaths as a homicide and is working alongside other agencies to determine who is responsible.
The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office is still in the process of confirming the victims’ identities and establishing the official cause of death.
In a statement released Monday morning, Sheriff Blackwood acknowledged the unbearable wait families are facing.
“As a parent, I cannot imagine how excruciating the wait for confirmation of the victims’ identity is,” Blackwood said. “However, the process is important and critical to lead us to the person or persons responsible for this horrific crime. I’m asking for your patience as we, along with other investigative agencies, do the work necessary to seek justice for the victims and their families.”
Family members say Lyric Woods and Devin Clark were close friends, making the tragedy even harder to process for those who knew them.
