Oak Island police are pushing back hard on a wave of viral speculation surrounding the May 17 death of Patrice Jones Bass, a 40-year-old Henderson woman found at a beach condominium on the island. Investigators say early medical findings suggest her injuries came from a fall, not an assault, and that so far there is no evidence of criminal activity. The case remains open as the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completes an autopsy and toxicology testing, and officials say Bass’s immediate family is being kept in the loop as the review moves forward.
Preliminary findings point to a fall
Initial information from the state medical examiner indicates Bass’s injuries are consistent with those typically seen in a fall, according to WECT. She was discovered at Ocean Walk Condominiums, and while investigators have emphasized that they are still waiting on the full autopsy and toxicology results, they have not classified the case as a homicide.
Town responds to misinformation
In a July 7 statement, the Town of Oak Island said that “no evidence collected at the scene or following indicated signs of violence or criminal acts,” and that the matter is being handled as an open death investigation. According to the town, eight Oak Island officers responded to the original call, while detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division conducted an onsite search, canvassed the neighborhood and completed multiple interviews.
Officials push back on online coverage
Local officials say their methodical approach has been overshadowed by a rush of social media posts and online articles that published graphic, unverified claims about what happened inside the condo. They called that coverage misleading and unsupported by the actual case file. WWAY reported that the town and police specifically pushed back on coverage from outlets including The NC Beat and other aggregators, saying the department had responded to media inquiries and that the more sensational claims circulating online are not backed by evidence gathered in the investigation.
What comes next
Town leaders and police reiterate that Bass’s death has not been ruled a homicide and that the classification could change only if new evidence surfaces once the medical examiner’s work is complete. They are urging anyone with relevant information to go through official channels and to use the town’s contact form instead of feeding the rumor mill while investigators await the OCME’s final findings. WECT reported that the department has committed to providing updates and says it intends to continue what officials describe as a thorough, objective review of Bass’s death.
