Authorities Investigating Death After Body Found In Parked Vehicle

CLAYTON, N.C. — A 24-year-old person was found dead inside a vehicle Sunday afternoon in Clayton in what police say appears to be a suicide.

Officers with the Clayton Police Department responded around 12 p.m. to a parking lot in the 11800 block of Clayton Boulevard after receiving a report of a deceased individual.

When officers arrived, they located the 24-year-old inside a Toyota suffering from an apparent single gunshot wound. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Clayton Police, detectives determined the deceased was the subject of a missing person report filed on Friday, July 3. Family members had reported the person missing after they were last seen leaving their residence Friday morning in the Toyota. Police said the individual was believed to have had a firearm in their possession when they disappeared.

Investigators said the death is consistent with suicide. However, the investigation remains ongoing.

No additional information has been released.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.