Hypothermia, blunt force trauma, intoxication all cited as leading causes in woman’s death
Carley Dunn Walls
Robbinsville – Almost 11 months after a local woman was found deceased, autopsy findings have finally be unveiled.
Blunt-force trauma, methamphetamine toxicity and environmental hypothermia were cited as the causes of Carley Dunn Walls’ death on Feb. 5, 2023.
In the wake of the autopsy’s conclusion, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office is treating the death of 27-year-old Carley Dunn Walls as a homicide investigation.
“With the release of the autopsy report, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office will be able to direct the investigation and should enable investigators to conduct new interviews, as well as conduct follow-up interviews of individuals that have previously been interviewed,” reads a portion of a Jan. 4 release issued by the sheriff’s office. “Sheriff (Brad) Hoxit and members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office welcome these new results and are hopeful this will move the investigation to some conclusion soon, thereby providing some solace and sense of justice to the family of Carley Walls.”
The autopsy, which was released Jan. 3, paints an unsettling picture of the events leading up to Walls’ death, including the mysterious burning of her car 15 miles away and the discovery of her body the next morning.
Trauma
Though the official cause of death is listed as hypothermia, the manner of which her passing occurred is still being defined as “undetermined.”
However, the thorax, abdomen and back – as well as upper and lower extremities – were all found to have sustained blunt-force trauma by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Pathologist Patrick Lentz, MD, in his Feb. 8 autopsy of Walls.
Contusions were documented on her forehead, above both eyes, the right side of her head and below the right side of her mouth.
There was also multiple bruises atop Walls’ head and three total bumps found inside her eyelids that are consistent with an individual straining with great pressure (petechiae).
More bruising and cuts were found around her chest and rib cage, and Lentz estimated between 50-60 abrasions on the right side of her back, from her shoulder and continuing down the side of the body. There were a variety of cuts on both her arms and hands, her lower back and ankles; both of Walls’ thighs were covered in contusions, estimated to be around 50 in totality.
Cause of death
Lesions found inside Walls’ stomach point were consistent with exposure to cold elements and the leading cause for her death.
The autopsy noted between 50-75 black, gastric Wischnewski spots were identified in her stomach. What causes the spots to form is still a medicinal mystery, but they are almost always present in a deceased individual who has passed away due to hypothermia.
The amount of methamphetamine present was defined as “greater than 5 mg/L.” There was also a small amount of amphetamine (0.25 mg/L) in her bloodstream. Additionally, there was a limited amount of alcohol (0.2 blood alcohol content) in her body.
The toxicology report was not returned until June 21.
Chain of events
The sheriff’s office is still trying to uncover the truth around the strange circumstances surrounding Walls’ death.
Around 9 p.m. Feb. 4, personnel were dispatched to an area of Tatham Gap Road after a report came in regarding a burning vehicle. Authorities soon determined the vehicle belonged to Walls, but she was not seen in the area and attempts to locate her that night were unsuccessful.
Her body was found around 9 a.m. the next morning outside Lot 18 of the now-defunct River Breeze Trailer Park, which was located off Five Points Road and just inside the Robbinsville city limits. Walls was discovered about 30 feet away from the entrance to a camper on the lot, lying on her back and partially inside some bushes.
The temperature in Robbinsville dipped into the low 30s/high 20s the night of Feb. 4. Walls had no clothing on when she was found; officers quickly used a white sheet to shield her body from onlookers.
Preliminary reports surmised that Walls – who had a listed Jutts Creek Circle address, around seven miles away from the scene – was drinking in the trailer park the night before. At some point, she began asking around for some “dope.”
No one at the park admitted to seeing Walls leave the area with anyone; in fact, she was last seen wearing coveralls, a shirt and a hat. Her dog was also found dead nearby at the scene.
The Jan. 4 press release from the sheriff’s office noted that a $3,500 reward is being offered for information that could help direct authorities to arrest and convict those responsible for Walls’ death, as well as the burning of her vehicle.
Sheriff Hoxit informed the Star on Monday that an additional $3,000 for the reward was donated by John and Nina Crisp. The couple also encouraged others within the community to help as well.
Any information can be passed on via a special hotline at 828-445-1608.