---

NEWTON, N.C. – Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office have been working to learn the identity of human remains discovered on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. These remains were located on a property in the 8000 block of East NC Hwy 150.

During the crime scene investigation Sheriff’s investigators located items connected to an Eileen Michelle Lavery. Investigators learned that Lavery, 23, was listed as a missing person by Winston-Salem Police Department and was last seen in March of 2023.

Lavery’s dental records, analyzed during an autopsy performed on March 28, 2024, matched the human remains recovered by Sheriff’s investigators. Lavery’s next of kin have been notified.

The cause and manner of Lavery’s death remains under investigation. Sheriff’s investigators are also working to establish why Lavery was at the Hwy 150 property at the time of her death.

Anyone with information about Eileen Michelle Lavery and or information that might aid in this investigation is asked to contact Sheriff’s investigators at 828-465-8340.

---

---