What we know about a missing man's death in a national forest

The missing Black Mountain man was found near Pine Gap Trailhead on Nov. 10; his cause of death has not been announced.

The search for Justin Quinn Lobdell ended just before noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, when crews found his body about a quarter-mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead in Pisgah National Forest, according to Burke County officials.

Here is what authorities have released about his disappearance and the search.

Who was Justin Lobdell?

Lobdell was a Black Mountain man whose family reported him missing after he had not been seen since Halloween evening. Black Mountain police said his last known location was Marion.

When was he reported missing?

Burke County’s statement says Lobdell was reported missing to Black Mountain police on the evening of Nov. 2.

What led searchers to Linville Gorge?

An off-duty Mitchell County deputy spotted Lobdell’s vehicle at the Pine Gap Trailhead on Sunday, Nov. 8. The deputy recognized it from a be-on-the-lookout notice and contacted emergency services.

“We appreciate the deputy’s attentiveness and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating the vehicle, which helped direct the search,” Black Mountain Sgt. Stacy Cox said.

Where was he found?

Searchers found Lobdell just before noon Nov. 10, approximately a quarter-mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead.

What is known about his death?

His body was transferred to the medical examiner’s office for evaluation. Burke County’s statement did not announce a cause of death or explain the circumstances surrounding it.

Further information is expected to be released from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office following an autopsy.

Full statement from Burke County:

LINVILLE FALLS, N.C. – The search for Justin Lobdell concluded just before noon on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, when he was found deceased approximately one-quarter mile down the trail from the Pine Gap Trailhead, in the Pisgah National Forest.Lobdell was reported missing to the Black Mountain Police Department during the evening hours of November 2. On Sunday, November 8, an off-duty Mitchell County deputy spotted his vehicle at the Pine Gap Trailhead. Recognizing the vehicle from a be-on-the-lookout notice, the deputy contacted emergency services. “We appreciate the deputy’s attentiveness and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating the vehicle, which helped direct the search,” said Black Mountain Sgt. Stacy Cox. The Black Mountain Police Department worked alongside Burke County Emergency Management, Burke County EMS Special Operations, Burke County EMS, Burke County 911 Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Ashford North Cove Fire Department, McDowell County Rescue, Linville Central Rescue and K-9 Task Force, and Avery County Emergency Management. Additional assistance was provided by North Carolina Emergency Management, City of Asheville Fire Department Field Communications Task Force, North Carolina Department of Corrections Prison Emergency Response Task Force Search Team, North Carolina Division of Prisons K-9 Task Force, McDowell County Emergency Services, and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers. Lobdell’s body has been transferred to the medical examiner’s office for evaluation. Any additional information will be released by the Burke County Sheriff's Office and/or the Black Mountain Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. For media inquiries, contact Chris White, Burke County Public Information Officer, at 828-764-9388 or pio@burkenc.org.

Read the original statement.