Two NC High School Students Are Found Dead after Both Were Reported Missing over the Weekend

When a North Carolina father went to his daughter's bedroom, he discovered she was missing. Meanwhile, a woman was worried about her son's whereabouts. Both parents were unaware of the tragedy that was just around the corner.

Sometimes, fate makes us experience things that are out of our control. Losing a family member is one such petrifying experience that makes us feel helpless. We can never dodge death, no matter what we do.

A horrifying tragedy in North Carolina turned the lives of two families upside down. It was something the two families didn't see coming ― an incident that devastated them.

Missing Teenagers

September 17, 2022, was a regular Saturday morning for Lyric Woods' stepfather until he went to her room to wake her up and didn't find her there. The last time he saw her was 11 p.m. on Friday night.

After losing all hope of getting in touch with her, the worried stepfather went to the Orange County sheriff's office in North Carolina. He filed a missing report, hoping the officers would soon find his 14-year-old girl.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Devin Clark's family was worried about his whereabouts. They had no idea where the high schooler was, so they contacted the Mebane Police Department on September 18, 2022, unaware that the authorities would soon find him.

A Tip

While both families kept praying for the safe return of their children, the officers at the sheriff's office received a tip about the missing students. Two ATV riders claimed they had seen two bodies on a trail inside the county.

Meanwhile, some neighbors claimed they saw Woods riding in a car near the crime scene at 3 a.m. on September 17.

The authorities soon reached the trail and suspected the deceased persons were Woods and Clark. The investigators revealed the teenagers had been shot.

The Confirmation

The families of both teenagers were called to identify the bodies, and they confirmed the deceased persons were Woods and Clark. On September 19, both families visited the crime scene in memory of their children. Tiffany Concepcion, Clark's mother, said:

"He never hurt anybody, so for him to get done like this, I have to have answers."

Woods' family refused to speak to the media during this painful time. However, they visited the crime scene and left a cross with flowers, hoping their ninth-grader would get the justice she deserved.

Remembering the Teenagers

Investigators revealed that Woods and Clark were friends but didn't study at the same school. Clark went to Eastern Alamance High School, while Woods attended Cedar Ridge High School.

While the authorities were investigating the case, Woods and Clark were remembered during a soccer game between their high schools. The spectators, organizers, and participants honored the deceased teenagers with a moment of silence.

"This past weekend, Devin Clark, an Eastern Alamance student, and Lyric Woods, a Cedar Ridge student, tragically lost their lives," the announcer said before the game and asked everyone to pray for the victims' families.

The Friendly Boy

"I'm asking for your patience as we, along with other investigative agencies, do the work necessary to seek justice for the victims and their families," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said on September 19.

Later that evening, students of Eastern Alamance gathered on a football field to release balloons in Clark's memory. Clark's aunt, Crystal Hughes, felt glad that her nephew had positively influenced many people's lives. She added:

"It's hard for us to process everything that's going on because we don't have any details."

The Investigation

The investigators worked day and night to catch the person responsible for the double murder. During the investigation, the authorities found a man who lived near the crime scene and claimed he had heard gunshots.

Meanwhile, some neighbors claimed they saw Woods riding in a car near the crime scene at 3 a.m. on September 17. The investigators noted all clues and tried their best to locate the killer.

On September 20, a juvenile petition was filed against a 17-year-old for murdering Woods and Clark. The authorities chose not to reveal the suspect's identity because the person was not an adult.

Supporting the Families

While the families of Woods and Clark hoped the suspect wouldn't get away, two fundraisers were set up to cover the funeral expenses of the deceased teenagers. As of September 21, 2022, the families had raised around $23,000 each.

While the friends and families of the teenagers mourned their deaths, the authorities tried their best to serve justice. AIM Volleyball Club Director Nancy Cates, who knew Woods because of the game, said:

"We will miss her bright smile and enthusiasm for the game."

The Comments

When netizens learned about the tragic shooting incident, they poured in supportive messages for the families of the deceased teenagers. Here are some of the comments from People's Facebook post about the incident:

"Terrible. Condolences to their families & I hope justice is served. May they RIP."

― (@Lisa Mastroeni) September 21, 2022

"What is going on? I can't wrap myself around this. It's so so devastatingly sad for these parents. I really hope they make an arrest."

― (@Celia Maldonado) September 21, 2022

"Hiking seems to be becoming a dangerous exercise. RIP."

― (@Sue Ellen Bull Mead) September 21, 2022

"A follow-up article says a 17-year-old has been charged w their murders. Three families are forever destroyed (sic)."

― (@Nina ST) September 21, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased teenagers. We hope justice is served and pray Woods and Clark rest in peace.

Click here to read another tragic story about an eight-year-old girl shot dead while playing with her elder brother inside her Detroit house.