Human remains found in Fayetteville woods; detectives contact family of missing teen

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — A daylong search in a wooded area off Deep Creek Road has turned into an active death investigation after Cumberland County deputies found human remains.

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The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said deputies discovered the remains around 4:32 p.m. Thursday during what investigators described as a systematic search in the 1300 block of Deep Creek Road.

Detectives spent much of Friday collecting evidence before removing the crime scene tape and leaving the area late in the afternoon.

Investigators have not identified the person, and the sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active.

The discovery comes just weeks after deputies searched nearby along the Cape Fear River during the investigation into the disappearance of 17-year-old Laniyah Whitted.

Whitted disappeared in 2021 after investigators said she was dropped off near Cape Fear High School.

CBS 17 has learned detectives contacted Whitted’s family after the human remains were found.

“They did reach out to us, so we definitely were on the scene and we’re just kindly patiently waiting and praying,” said Nicole Walton, Whitted’s aunt. “We know there’s been remains found, but we’re not actually sure if they’re Laniyah, so we’re just patiently waiting.”

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Walton said the family has also provided investigators with Laniyah’s dental records to help identify the remains.

“We did give her dental records, so that should be a first start of it, I guess,” Walton said.

Major Brian Perry with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said investigators searched the area after receiving information during the investigation.

“We are conducting an investigation to corroborate and basically verify some information that we received during the investigation,” Perry said.

Investigators are also searching for answers in the disappearance of missing Fort Bragg soldier Sayveon Anderson, who was last seen on the installation on June 29.

The sheriff’s office has not said whether the discovery is connected to Whitted’s disappearance, Anderson’s case or any other missing person investigation.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

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