SALISBURY, N.C. — The body of a 38-year-old man was found on the campus of Catawba College on Wednesday, according to Salisbury police.
Detectives were called to the campus ecological preserve at about 2 p.m. and spoke with an employee who discovered the body in a remote area.
The deceased was identified as Carlos Enrique Leon Aristoteles, who was reported missing on May 29 from Farm Pond Lane in east Charlotte, police said.
“Aristoteles had been recently going through life issues and mental health issues,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
His partner and the mother of his children, Shaelynn Espitia, said Aristoteles had never been to that area, that she knew of.
Espitia said the father of two worked at a tattoo shop on South Boulevard in Charlotte, and they lived as a family in Chester.
She said she doesn’t know who would hurt him, and he would never hurt himself.
“He’s very loved in his community, so I can’t imagine anyone hurting him, and we have no idea how this could have happened,” Espitia said. “I know, for a fact, he would never leave his children behind. He, that’s his everything, and all he’s ever wanted is to be a father. Carlos has always been there for me, and that’s why I’ll stop at nothing to get justice for him.”
Salisbury police said it’s being ruled as a death investigation, currently.
There is no active threat to the community.
Statement from the college:
“Catawba College is aware that a deceased individual was found yesterday in the College’s Ecological Preserve. Law enforcement is investigating, and the College will not comment on an active investigation. We can confirm that the individual was not a Catawba College student or employee. Further requests for information should be directed to the Salisbury Police Department. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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