Body of 68-year-old man believed kidnapped during manhunt found

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The body of a 68-year-old man believed to have been kidnapped by a North Carolina suspect who eluded officers for six days has been found.

A member of the Skyland Fire and Rescue Department found the body of Thomas Bryson in a corn field in Arden on Sunday night. A cause of death hasn't been determined.

Philip Michael Stroupe II was driving Bryson's truck when authorities found and captured him in Yancey on Thursday after a search that closed parts of the Pisgah National Forest for days. Authorities believe Bryson was kidnapped Wednesday.

Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald said Stroupe will likely face murder charges in the coming days, in addition to multiple charges levied in Buncombe, Transylvania, Henderson, Yancey and McDowell counties.

Three people accused of helping Stroupe hide from police will face a judge Monday. Fredrick Badgero, Jennifer Hawkins and Larry Hawkins were charged Saturday.

The trio claims Stroupe threatened to kill them if they didn't help him.

Father of North Carolina kidnapping suspect arrested

The father of a man who eluded police for six days in the western North Carolina mountains has been arrested on accessory kidnapping charges.

Henderson County sheriff's spokeswoman Allison Nock said in a news release that 65-year-old Phillip Michael Stroupe of Burnsville was arrested early Monday and accused of helping his son avoid arrest on a kidnapping charge.

Phillip Michael Stroupe II was arrested Thursday while driving a pickup belonging to 68-year-old Thomas Bryson of Mills River. Bryson's body was found in a corn field in Arden on Sunday night. There is no word on how he died.

The elder Stroupe was being held in the Henderson County jail. It was not known if he has an attorney.

Henderson Sheriff Charles McDonald says Stroupe II likely will face murder charges.

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Associated Press