Three people charged with concealing a death after body found near NC river

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Three people have been charged with concealment of death after a body was found near a North Carolina river, according to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday, Aug. 30, deputies responded to the area of Corpening Bridge Road about a death investigation. When they arrived, kayakers on Johns River said they found human remains near the Corpening Bridge.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant at 2786 Pax Hill Road in Morganton, which is about four miles from where the body was found.

Robert Ford Dale Jr., 58, Rocky Lee Dale, 35, and Lorie Knight Stephens, 50, were all charged with felony concealment of death and felony disturbing human remains, officials said.

Dale Jr. was also charged with felony probation violation and given a secured bond of $135,000. Dale did not receive a bond and Stephens was given a $75,000 secured bond.

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