CONCORD, N.C. — Tragedy struck a family in Concord, North Carolina when Yadira Hernandez Castro, an 18-year-old local resident, was found dead Monday afternoon following a multi-day search after she disappeared amid a powerful winter storm that hit the region over the weekend.
Castro was reported missing by her family early Sunday morning after she failed to return home the night before, when heavy snow and below-freezing conditions swept across the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Her parents told the Concord Police Department that she left her home on Saturday, January 31, to spend time with a friend and was expected back before nightfall.
According to police, Castro was last seen leaving her friend’s house around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, and her family spoke with her briefly over the phone around 10:50 p.m. that night.
When she did not arrive home and stopped answering calls the next morning, her family filed a missing persons report with local law enforcement at about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage showing Castro walking in the area of Academy Avenue Northwest and Glenn Street Northwest in Concord shortly after midnight early Sunday.
Officers, assisted by the Concord Fire Department, K-9 units and infrared drone teams, conducted extensive land searches Sunday evening and again the following morning. Castro’s body was discovered around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 2.
Initial statements from the Concord Police Department indicate that preliminary findings suggest a combination of alcohol and extreme cold temperatures likely contributed to Castro’s death, and at this time no evidence of foul play has been identified.
Final cause of death is pending a full examination by the North Carolina State Medical Examiner.
The winter storm that coincided with Castro’s disappearance brought significant snowfall to the area, with reports indicating at least a foot of accumulation, which compounded search challenges and exposed residents to dangerous conditions.
Castro’s family and friends have expressed deep sorrow and are mourning her loss, describing her as a young woman with hopes and goals whose life was just beginning.
They have also launched a fundraising campaign to help with funeral costs and related expenses.
Local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, and officials have urged residents to prioritize safety during extreme weather, especially when temperatures plunge and travel conditions worsen.
