Body found beside highway may be a 'weather related' death, NC sheriff says

A body found along a five-lane highway in western North Carolina is being investigated as a “weather related” death, deputies say.

The discovery was made around 8 a.m. Sunday just west of Asheville, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said in a Jan. 25 news release.

“Upon arrival deputies located a deceased male lying on the roadside of New Leicester Highway,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Detectives are investigating this incident to determine if this death was weather related. At this time, we have not discovered any evidence of foul play, however this investigation is ongoing.”

The man was identified as 31-year-old Rubilio Mendez Reynoso by WYFF. A cause of death has not been released.

Temperatures fell to around 21 degrees Saturday night into Sunday morning, AccuWeather reports. The high Saturday was 36 degrees.

An ice storm was crossing western North Carolina during that period, leaving roads covered with snow, sleet and ice.

This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 6:05 AM with the headline "Body found beside highway may be a 'weather related' death, NC sheriff says."