Free-spirited teen Joseph Rose went missing in Asheville, North Carolina, on November 24, 2025. His family, friends, and police looked for the 18-year-old for weeks. Their search came to a heartbreaking end on December 12. Deputies from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a body in a creek near Gilbert B. Crook Road in Candler. They positively identified the body as Joseph Rose, but details surrounding the young man’s death remain unclear. His family wants to know what happened and why investigators didn’t find him when he was still alive.
Emily Ivory Rose, Joseph Rose’s sister, told WLOS she’s clueless about what happened to her brother. The family reportedly filed a missing person’s report on December 2.
“They found him just the day before yesterday in Candler, outside of Asheville, in a ditch. And we’re not sure how or why. Also, the way that they found him. We’re just not sure how he ended up there and why he had no contact with us,” she said.
The big sister will always remember their sweet relationship growing up. “Me and him were really close growing up. And, you know, I was almost like another mom to him, you know, big sister, mom. He told me everything,” Emily Rose added.
As investigators continue to try to determine exactly what happened to the teen, Captain Chris Stockton of the sheriff’s office’s District 2 shared a statement on social media.
“Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office personnel are working to bring answers for Mr. Rose’s family. We also appreciate the concern and understanding of the community members while our personnel were on scene. BCSO personnel are committed to finding answers through a thorough investigation,” Stockon explained in the post. “These can take time and we appreciate the continued patience for us to follow through with that process.”
Joseph Rose’s mysterious death continues to haunt his loved ones. They’ve created a GoFundMe account to help with the final expenses and to find those responsible for his death. This family needs closure. We hope the police can help them move forward.
