Arrest made in homicide of missing teen, Buncombe County Sheriff says

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said on Dec. 23 that an arrest has been made in the homicide of an 18-year-old who was reported missing earlier this month and later found dead in western Buncombe County.

Sheriff’s officials said Joseph Solmon Rose, 18, was killed on Nov. 24, 2025. His body was discovered Dec. 12 at 66 Gilbert B. Crook Road in Candler.

Deputies responded at approximately 3:36 p.m. after receiving a request to assist at the residence regarding a deceased person. Upon arrival, deputies identified the victim as Rose, who had been reported missing to the Asheville Police Department on Dec. 2.

According to investigators, a preliminary autopsy conducted Dec. 15 determined that Rose died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Authorities said evidence gathered during the investigation led them to Jackson County. On Dec. 19, deputies recovered a vehicle believed to have been at the scene of the homicide. Later that day, Johnathan David Paleno, 21, of Cullowhee, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Court records show Paleno was transferred to the Buncombe County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

The case is filed in Buncombe District Court under case number 25CR490335-100. A public defender was appointed on Dec. 22, and a disposition hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026, according to court records.

Officials said they are not releasing details about the nature of the relationship between Rose and Paleno at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

WCAB News has filed public records requests seeking the final autopsy report and investigative records, which are subject to disclosure under North Carolina public records law.

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reported this is the eighth homicide investigation handled by the agency this year.

Several agencies are assisting in the investigation, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Asheville Police Department.

In a statement released by the family, Rose’s older sister, Emily Rose, described him as loving, accepting, and deeply compassionate, saying he made a lasting impact on those who knew him.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.