Workers clearing a small patch of woods near the Tarboro-area town of Conetoe made a grim discovery Tuesday morning when they came across a man's body. Edgecombe County deputies say they are treating the case as a likely homicide and have identified the victim as Kenneth Earl Wooten of Pinetops. Investigators have not yet said how Wooten died, as they process the scene and chase down fresh leads in the normally quiet corner of eastern North Carolina.
According to WBTV, deputies were called to the wooded area near Conetoe after the work crew reported finding the body. The station reports that once deputies reached the undisclosed location, they located Wooten and gathered evidence that led the sheriff's office to label the death a suspected homicide.
Investigators Ask For Witness Help
WTVD (ABC11) reported that investigators identified Wooten as a Pinetops native and repeated the sheriff's plea for public help. Anyone who saw Wooten or spoke with him at any time since Sunday is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Johnson at 252-801-3181. Conetoe, a small town in Edgecombe County, has been left on edge as neighbors wait for answers while officials say more details will be released as the investigation moves forward.
Investigation Remains Active
WITN reports that deputies are treating the location as a suspicious death scene and are canvassing the surrounding area for witnesses and any available surveillance footage. The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office has not provided additional details about a timeline in the case or whether an autopsy has been scheduled.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is urged to call the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office at 252-801-3181. Authorities say they appreciate the tips that have already come in as they work to piece together what happened to Wooten in the woods outside Conetoe.
