Gardener mowed around dead body after mistaking it for prop, family claims
A man's dead body was initially ignored by a gardener because he believed him to be a prop.
On 10 October, 2023, Robert Paul Owens was found by police having passed away on Shue Road in the town of China Grove, North Carolina.
However, the 34-year-old's body had been seen on the grounds the day before (9 October) by a gardener, who failed to report their sighting to authorities as a result of not realising it was an actual human body.
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The family of Owens has since taken to GoFundMe to raise money for his funeral and speak out about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The GoFundMe post by someone called Haley Reavis claims: "Robert Paul Owens 34 of China Grove was found passed away in a suspicious way in China Grove. Leaving his family with many questions that will hopefully be answered soon and justice served to all individuals involved.
"I can't give out many details do to the ongoing investigation, but just know the truth will come out.
"He was stripped of his clothes and belongings, leaving him in his underwear and socks for over 24 hours face down in the yard next to a house. He was found once on Monday by a lawn care employee that assumed he was Halloween decorations or a mannequin for K9 training and was never reported to authorities.
"Who in their right mind mows a yard at a house that has power on and no one has lived there in a while but the property is used for K9 training for years, can assume a half naked dead body with scratches and glass around it is halloween decor."
Police have since confirmed the groundskeeper believed the body was a fake dummy used for training.
An official told Channel 9's Hannah Goetz the property and abandoned log cabin on it, where Owens was discovered, has been used for police training for years.
The GoFundMe post continues, noting Owens' body was later found and reported by a member of construction crew the following day, claiming the family has 'evidence' that has been 'handed over to the detective'.
Reavis adds: "If you're reading this and you were involved just now you will get what you deserve very soon."
According to WBTV, an autopsy was conducted on Owens on Friday (13 October) and revealed no signs of assault or trauma. Owens' cause of death remains undetermined, as authorities wait for toxicology reports.
The GoFundMe post concludes: "Robert we all love you and miss you dearly. Gone to soon but you will never be forgotten. Your demon you battled here on Earth is over, may you rest in peace bubby I love you.
"Any proceeds to help this unexpected burden on us, his family, is greatly appreciated. Arrangements will be provided soon."
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has received 16 donations and raised $1,220 of its $10,000 target.
If you have any information about this case, contact the China Grove Police Department or email detective C. Frantz at [email protected].
UNILAD has contacted China Grove Police Department for comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
Poppy Bilderbeck