On Sunday Morning, August 6, 2017 a resident of Swindell Road in Pantego contacted the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to report locating a suspicious vehicle parked off Wonderland Road in the middle of thousands of acres of farm land. Upon further investigation, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office determined the vehicle, a white Chevy Equinox was reportedly driven by Deborah Cavenaugh Blades who was listed as missing by the Wilmington Police Department.
Based on the information on Blades’ disappearance received from the Wilmington Police Department and the location of her vehicle, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office organized a search of the surrounding area. Members of the Pantego Fire Department, Chocowninity Fire Department, Beaufort County Emergency Management, The Coastal Carolina Search and Rescue Team, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the NC Highway Patrol Avaition Unit responded to assist in the search effort. After about 6 hours of searching the body of Deborah Cavenaugh Blades was located about 400 feet from her vehicle.
Based on evidence at the scene there is no reason to suspect foul play and the cause of death is unknown. The Medical Examiner’s Office in Greenville NC, will be investigating further. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has no further comment on this case.
