Last Updated on May 25, 2023 3:09 pm
Update from Boone Police – Thursday May 25 2:56pm –
On May 24th, 2023, around 3:45 p.m., a subject conducting research in Winkler Creek located a deceased individual in the creek behind the Broyhill Wellness Center, located at 232 Boone Heights Drive. Members of the Boone Police Department, Boone Fire Department, and Watauga EMS responded and confirmed the subject was deceased.
Detectives of the Boone Police Department responded and identified the deceased as Christopher Lee Strickland, age 35. Strickland was last known to be camping along the bank of Winkler Creek upstream from where he was located. His next of kin have been notified of his death.
No suspects are being sought and there is no evidence to suggest criminal activity. The North Carolina Office of Medical Examiner assumed jurisdiction of the body while the Boone Police Department conducted its investigation. Cause of death will be determined after an autopsy is completed by the medical examiner.
Wednesday May 24 – A body was discovered in a waterway near the Watauga County Rec Center this afternoon.
A person in the area called 911 that they saw a body, according to scanner dispatches at the time around 3:45 pm
Boone Police Andy LeBeau tells WataugaOnline.com that they were familiar with the subject as he is a local homeless man. There were no injuries observed, and no foul play is suspected at this point. He added that more information that can be released will be on Thursday.
