Last Updated on October 29, 2016 10:55 pm
UPDATE Monday October 31 – Boone Police have issued an update regarding the deceased female found in a car over the weekend. As previously reported, the victim was 21-year-old Savannah Karten of Glen Allen, Va.
In a Monday afternoon update Boone Police said:
“Savannah was a sophomore at Appalachian State University. The Boone Police Department has been in close contact with the Appalachian State Police Department to make sure that those closest with Savannah get the help that they may need.”
Chief Dana Crawford went on to say, “We want to let the Boone and Appalachian community know that we have a team of detectives working on this case. We have certain protocol that we utilize to ensure a thorough, fair and impartial investigation. It is far too early to make a determination as to the type of death. There is always a balance between guarding the integrity of the case, not making premature speculations, and providing information to the community. We can tell you that at this time we do not have any information that leads us to believe that we are looking for a suspect. No information has led us to believe that this is a homicide; however, we still have a lot of work to do. We will keep the community posted of any public safety concerns. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Savannah. Unfortunately, we see this type of tragic loss of life too often.”
UPDATE 10pm Sunday October 30 – Boone Police have issued more information in a Sunday night press release:
On Saturday, October 29, 2016, at approximately 1:15 PM, Boone Police, Fire, and Watauga Medics responded to a parking lot on Tracy Circle near the intersection of Mac Street for a reported deceased individual. A 21-year-old female was found deceased inside a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim has been identified as:
Savannah Taylor Karten
21 years-of-age
Glen Allen, VA
Karten was a student at Appalachian State University. Although Boone Police are considering all possibilities, at this time there is no information to indicate foul play. The investigation is continuing.
 Local emergency departments were dispatched to a victim of a gunshot wound on Saturday.  According to scanner dispatches at the time, Boone Medics and Boone Fire were dispatched to Pinewood Condos, 134 Mack Street, shortly after 1pm for a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A report from the Watauga Democrat states that a woman was found with a gunshot wound in a vehicle with no other vehicles around it.
WataugaOnline.com will update as more information becomes available from local law enforcement officals.
