Body found; reported to be that of Anna Smith :<(

[asu66]

From Watauga Democrat staff reports...

According to area law enforcement, the body of missing student Anna Smith was found Saturday morning in a wooded area off of Poplar Grove Road.
Scanner traffic also indicated that a body had been found in the Poplar Grove Road area. Boone Police vehicles blocked a section of Poplar Grove Road and redirected traffic at the intersections with Bodenheimer Drive and Water Street.
A staff member at University Police said there was no incident currently being investigated within the campus jurisdiction; she said any incidents on Saturday morning would be in the Boone Police jurisdiction.
At 11:54 a.m., however, Boone Police Sgt. Shane Robbins said he could not confirm the report.
Calls and emails to university spokespersons were not immediately returned Saturday morning.
Smith’s family has provided updates on the search on the Facebook page “Find Anna Marie Smith.” A post on the page around 9 or 10 a.m. Saturday indicated the family planned to meet at the Fairfield Inn in Boone this weekend to coordinate search efforts.
“If you are interested in searching the trails or taking flyers to surrounding communities or helping in other ways we appreciate your efforts,” the post said.
This is a developing story. Watauga Democrat will post more details as they become available.

[Rekdiver]

This kind of news is always difficult to fathom. The family needs answers and prayers.

[Niner National]

Sad story

[YesAppCan]

From Find Anna Marie Smith facebook page around 1:45pm...
Thank you all for your concern. At this point we do not have confirmation that Anna was found. I realize there are many news reports out there now, but again the family DOES NOT have confirmation.

[asu66]

From Find Anna Marie Smith facebook page around 1:45pm...
Thank you all for your concern. At this point we do not have confirmation that Anna was found. I realize there are many news reports out there now, but again the family DOES NOT have confirmation.

I'm not able to comprehend the anxiety, worry, deep sadness and that deep nausea that members of this family must be experiencing this weekend. Losing one's child is not something parents prepare for. You send your child off to college and you expect that they will be safe from harm. Especially safe in a small community like Boone-Blowing Rock. God's Peace to the Smith family and to Anna Smith's classmates and friends.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Posted to twitter 11 min ago as I type this.

http://chancellor.appstate.edu/messages/id/46

[DaphneUrquhart]

Posted to twitter 11 min ago as I type this.

http://chancellor.appstate.edu/messages/id/46

I have been quite impressed with how Chancellor Everts has handled all of this. She has communicated clearly and frequently enough without allowing the media frenzy this has caused to derail her.

I cannot imagine the feelings of Anna's parents and family at this point and have had them close in prayer. Time will tell if authorities have found the mortal remains of Anna today. My prayer is for peace for everyone involved. I am thankful that it's a "down" weekend without masses of football fans in Boone.

For all of you with children away at school, whether those be your sons or your daughters, I pray you will know peace today and will have graceful conversations with your children wherever they are.

[YesAppCan]

from hcpress.com

Update: The Boone Police Department sent out a release just before 5 p.m. stating that “initial evidence located at the scene indicates” that the body found near Poplar Grove Road is Anna Marie Smith, the missing Appalachian State student.

The release reads:

“Boone Police Investigators and North Carolina SBI Investigators have been processing the death scene off Poplar Grove Road. Initial evidence located at the scene indicates that the deceased is Anna M. Smith. A North Carolina Drivers License and an Appalachian State University Student Identification card belonging to Anna Marie Smith were found at the scene. A State Medical Examiner is on scene. The deceased will be transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for an autopsy. A timeframe for the completion of the autopsy and determination of the cause of death is not available.”

By Jesse Wood

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

from hcpress.com

Update: The Boone Police Department sent out a release just before 5 p.m. stating that “initial evidence located at the scene indicates” that the body found near Poplar Grove Road is Anna Marie Smith, the missing Appalachian State student.

The release reads:

“Boone Police Investigators and North Carolina SBI Investigators have been processing the death scene off Poplar Grove Road. Initial evidence located at the scene indicates that the deceased is Anna M. Smith. A North Carolina Drivers License and an Appalachian State University Student Identification card belonging to Anna Marie Smith were found at the scene. A State Medical Examiner is on scene. The deceased will be transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for an autopsy. A timeframe for the completion of the autopsy and determination of the cause of death is not available.”

By Jesse Wood

I was so hoping that the delay was in some way going to be this was not her body but something else. Not that I was really wanting more unsolved deaths in the High Country. I knew that was slim chance at best, but it was giving me some hope.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I was going to post some small bit on the Facebook page that it seemed her mother was using, but at this point I just couldn't. I just don't know what to say that will just sound so inadequate for this situation.

Is anything going to happen on campus tonight or even tomorrow? Will scheduled events continue?

I have posted the below once or twice before on the old MMB.

My roommate my freshman year was the one that killed himself by drowning in the Duck Pond back in the spring of 1989. That was at the very end of the school year. I only had to spend a few days in my dorm and then it was back home. And I think I had just finished up my exams. I am sure that helped me to be honest. Besides the family and all they are going through I do hope her roommate and friends are taken care of as well. I am sure ASU mental health is already doing this. I never wanted to talk with them, but I did like knowing that I could if I wanted to do that.

[YesAppCan]

From Appalachian State University (facebook)

Please see the most recent message below from Chancellor Everts. For the time being, we have turned comments off out of respect for Anna’s family.

Dear Members of the Appalachian Community,

I am deeply saddened to share with you that the search for our missing student Anna Marie Smith has ended tragically. According to the most recent Boone Police Department news release, initial evidence located at the scene indicates that the deceased found off campus earlier today, Sept. 13, is Anna. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Anna’s family and loved ones during this very difficult time. Having one of our own missing struck the Appalachian community very hard, and this very sad news is heartbreaking for us all.

The loss of Anna will continue to weigh heavy on our hearts. I ask that we all join together to support and care for one another as we mourn.

Over the time Anna was missing, countless people were dedicated to finding her. I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to law enforcement, her loved ones and friends, our students, faculty and staff, and the many others who devoted countless hours to the search and to ensuring that the message about Anna was seen by so many. We had hoped so much that this search would end differently, yet all of these efforts underscore our belief in just how integral each of us is to this community.

Later this evening, Dean of Students J.J. Brown will send a message to our students, assuring them that resources are available to help students cope with this news. Next week, Student Development will place a memorial book in Plemmons Student Union for Anna’s family. This book will be given to them as an expression of our concern and care. As we receive information regarding services for Anna, a notice will be sent to the campus community with those arrangements. Please keep Anna’s entire family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

It is important for each of us to remember that we are not alone. There are always people in this Appalachian community to whom we can turn for solace, caring counsel, and assistance. I find strength in the great power of our community to support those with broken hearts and burdened spirits who have been powerfully affected by the loss of this bright young light.

With a heavy heart,

Sheri N. Everts, Chancellor

[YesAppCan]

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

[firemoose]

Thoughts and prayers going out to her family and friends.

[YesAppCan]

From Greensboro News-Record.com
http://www.news-record.com/news/police- ... mode=story

[GoApps70]

Was so hopeful that she was just upset about a relationship and wanted to just be away
from everyone. Thought someone had seen her days later outside her dorm, which made
me think that even more. This is terrible. Will be praying for her and her family. Hope
it's not foul play, but guess they do not know right now maybe. God bless you Anna.

[luvyosef]

Sad situation. I am relieved that her family will have closure though. I went on a missing persons website once and was just aghast at all of the unsolved cases in this nation when it comes to missing persons. Cannot even begin to imagine what families must go through. May God bless this family.

[NewApp]

Sad situation. I am relieved that her family will have closure though. I went on a missing persons website once and was just aghast at all of the unsolved cases in this nation when it comes to missing persons. Cannot even begin to imagine what families must go through. May God bless this family.

Yep, luvyosef. Same goes for MIA troops in the myriad of wars in which we have been involved.

[YesAppCan]

http://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/loc ... 40fad.html

“There are a lot of facts we can point to that the note was written by Anna’s own hand. There is indication this (her death) was by Anna’s own hand.”

[T-Dog]

Many people I've talked to this past weekend first thought she was killed, including all women I spoke with.

Boone PD released the first part of the 911 call from the person who found Anna. The person visually IDs the body as Anna's.

Depression is no joke. If any lessons can be taken from this, it's that's warning signs shouldn't be ignored.

[asu66]

Many people I've talked to this past weekend first thought she was killed, including all women I spoke with.

Boone PD released the first part of the 911 call from the person who found Anna. The person visually IDs the body as Anna's.

Depression is no joke. If any lessons can be taken from this, it's that's warning signs shouldn't be ignored.

Two cable news channels have had a story today with the headline of "Who killed Anna Smith" or something along those lines. I guess the autopsy and wider investigation will eventually remove any remaining doubt.

And you're spot on about depression. It's devastating.