Skeletal remains identified as missing Whiteville man
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A logging crew found skeletal remains last month in a wooden area in Whiteville and now we know the identity of that person.
The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the skeletal remains, as Arthur Lee Heyward. He was reported missing last August. Officials believed he died of natural causes.
On February 15, just before 1:00 p.m., Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a wooded area off of Hallsboro Road North in Whiteville. A logging crew working in the area located skeletal remains approximately a mile from the highway.
Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit responded to the area and secured the scene. Detectives searched the scene, locating skeletal remains along with personal items, including clothing.
The remains were transported to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh.
The evidence in the investigation suggests that Heyward left his home and walked to a heavily wooded area. Heyward suffered from medical issues that caused disorientation. He was unable to navigate his way back to safety due to the heavy forestation and due to his medical issues.
Heyward was last seen on August 21 around 3 p.m., when a neighbor observed him at his mailbox on Annies Lane. Tuesday afternoon, August 22, his brother went to check on Heyward at his home. Heyward was nowhere to be found and his vehicle was in his yard where he last parked it.
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