Graham Norris Home missing Virginia man found dead at bottom of church well in rural Mecklenburg County after leaving faith based group he had been traveling with last month following argument.
Virginia authorities have announced the discovery of the remains of a 21 year old missing man at the bottom of a church well after parishioners complained of a foul odor.
The body of Graham Norris Home was recovered from the well at St. Stephen Rzua Church in rural Mecklenburg County on Monday.
The body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia who positively identified Horne through fingerprints, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
How did religious man end up at bottom of church well?
Horne was last seen Aug. 15, when he was traveling with the North Carolina-based faith group Met by Love Ministries, which had stopped at Simmons Truck Stop in Bracey for gas, WRAL reported.
He stormed off alone after getting into an argument with some of his fellow travelers, police said. Horner did not have a cell phone and had no ties to the local community and was reported missing according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Home was last seen walking east from Simmons, deputies told WTVR.
The gas station is just over six miles from the church where he was found.
The well in which Home’s body was discovered was described as being 2 feet in diameter and 50ft deep, WTVR reported. Recovery of the body took just on 3 hours officials said.
‘Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends affected during this difficult time,’ the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department, which assisted in pulling Horne’s body from the well, said in a statement. ‘We also ask that you keep our first responders in your thoughts and prayers as well.’
To date it remained unclear how the missing man came to end up at the bottom of the well and how long he had been there.
The investigation remains ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information can call the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 888-624-2207.
