News Summary
Human remains discovered in a scrapyard in Davidson County have been identified as belonging to Lee Anthony Funderburk, missing since 2016. The remains were found inside a vehicle registered to Funderburk’s family following a 911 call. A Medical Examiner confirmed the identity and determined the cause of death was homicide, marking a significant breakthrough in an investigation that had stalled for years. Authorities are seeking public assistance for further leads regarding Funderburk’s disappearance and murder.
Charlotte – Human remains found in a scrapyard in Davidson County have been confirmed as belonging to Lee Anthony Funderburk, a Charlotte man who was reported missing nearly nine years ago. Funderburk was last seen in the Charlotte area in March 2016, and his family reported him missing on May 31 of the same year. The skeletal remains were discovered on May 14, 2025, inside a vehicle registered to Funderburk’s mother, Mattie Mae Funderburk, following a 911 call from an employee at the Leonard Salvage scrapyard in Lexington, North Carolina.
Upon examination, a computerized check revealed that the vehicle in which the remains were found was the last known vehicle used by Funderburk before his disappearance. The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the remains and determined that the cause of death was homicide. This finding marks a significant breakthrough in the years-long case, which had stalled despite numerous leads and investigations by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Over the years, CMPD had actively pursued multiple leads but was unable to locate Funderburk or determine his whereabouts until the recent discovery of his remains. Investigators noted that evidence suggested the homicide occurred outside of Davidson County, and as such, relevant information and findings have been transferred to CMPD.
Details of the Investigation
Funderburk was 53 years old at the time he went missing. The confirmation of his remains has brought renewed attention to the case and calls for information from the public. Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge regarding Funderburk’s disappearance or death to reach out to either Charlotte Crime Stoppers or homicide detectives directly.
Timeline of Events
- March 2016 – Last known sighting of Lee Anthony Funderburk in the Charlotte area.
- May 31, 2016 – Funderburk is reported missing by his family.
- May 14, 2025 – Human remains found in a vehicle at Leonard Salvage scrapyard.
- Medical Examiner confirms the remains are Funderburk’s and establishes homicide as cause of death.
Background Context
The case of Lee Anthony Funderburk has been a long-standing mystery in the Charlotte area. His disappearance became a cause of concern for family and friends, instigating community engagement and police efforts to uncover the truth. Despite the passage of nearly nine years, the interest in Funderburk’s case has persisted, demonstrating the enduring impact such tragedies can have on families and communities.
As the investigation progresses following the identification of Funderburk’s remains, authorities remain committed to finding the truth behind this tragic event. The hopes of his family for closure rest on further findings in the case, and the public is encouraged to assist in providing any leads that may help in solving this homicide.
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Additional Resources
- WXII12
- Wikipedia: Homicide
- WRAL
- Google Search: Lee Anthony Funderburk
- WSOC TV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Person
- WBTV
- Google News: Charlotte missing person case
- QC News
