Mystery grows after hiker finds skull of man who wasn’t reported missing, NC cops say

A human skull found in remote southwestern North Carolina has been identified as the remains of a 35-year-old man who was never considered missing, investigators say.

The skull was discovered Jan. 23 as a hiker walked near Burrell Mountain, about a 130-mile drive west from Charlotte, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a Feb. 12 news release.

Two searches were conducted in the area, and on Feb. 4, a group of anthropology students from Western Carolina University helped deputies find “additional human remains,” officials said.

“Following an extensive forensic investigation, the (N.C. State Bureau of Investigation) has positively identified the deceased as Kamron Peter Rondon, a 35-year-old African American male,” the sheriff’s office said.

“According to available information, Rondon had not been reported missing to any law enforcement agencies.”

Investigators have not determined how Rondon died or provided an estimate for how long the remains had been exposed to the elements.

“The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public to assist in the ongoing investigation,” officials said.

“Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 837-2589 during business hours, (828) 835-3144 after hours and on weekends, or by submitting a tip anonymously at (828) 837-1344 or crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.”

This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 6:20 AM with the headline "Mystery grows after hiker finds skull of man who wasn’t reported missing, NC cops say."