News Release
NPS photo.
News Release Date: November 3, 2021
Contact: BLRI Public Affairs, 828-348-3420
11.03.2021 UPDATE:
Investigators with the National Park Service are asking for the public’s help to provide photos or videos in support of an ongoing homicide investigation on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
On Saturday afternoon, October 9, 2021, parkway personnel received a report from a park visitor of a body near a parkway overlook. Law enforcement rangers responded to the scene and located a deceased male below Yadkin Valley Overlook at Milepost 289.8. Investigators identified the victim as Josue Calderon, age 33, of Rhode Island. An autopsy conducted by the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office determined cause of death to be homicide.
Though no further details are available at this time, information from other travelers and visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you took photographs or videos (cell phone, GoPro, etc.) on the Blue Ridge Parkway anywhere in North Carolina on October 9, 2021, or if you have any other information that could help, please submit a tip. You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know:
CALL or TEXT the ISB Tip Line 888-653-0009
ONLINE go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov
EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1
10.14.2021 UPDATE:
An autopsy has been completed by the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office on the body found October 9, 2021, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Investigators have identified the victim as Josue Calderon, age 33, of Rhode Island.
This incident is being investigated as a homicide. Special Agents from the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch, with support from NPS law enforcement rangers, are leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.
If you have information that could help investigators, please contact the NPS Investigative Services tip line by phone at 888-653-0009 or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov.
Information gathered by investigators continues to suggest there is no ongoing concern for public safety, or that this investigation is related to any other ongoing investigations.
At this time, all other details regarding this incident are linked to ongoing investigative efforts. Updates and further details will be provided when they are available and will not compromise the integrity of the investigation.
10.11.2021 UPDATE:
National Park Service officials, in cooperation with the NC State Bureau of Investigation, continue their investigation to determine the identity and cause of death of a deceased male found October 9, 2021, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
Preliminary information gathered by investigators does not suggest any ongoing concern for public safety, or that this investigation is related to any other ongoing investigations.
There are no additional details at this time.
10.10.2021 INITIAL STATEMENT:
Body recovered on Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 289
(Boone, NC) - On Saturday, October 9, 2021, at approximately 1:14 p.m., National Park Service (NPS) dispatchers received a report from a park visitor of a body near an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Law enforcement rangers responded to the scene and located a deceased male at 1:19 p.m., below Yadkin Valley Overlook at Milepost 289.8.
Cause of death is unknown, and an investigation is underway led by NPS Investigative Services Branch with assistance from NC State Bureau of Investigation.
No further details are available at this time.
Last updated: November 3, 2021