NORTH CAROLINA — A body was discovered Wednesday night during Mecklenburg County’s annual Point-in-Time Count, county officials confirmed.
According to a spokesperson for Mecklenburg County Government, a team of volunteers found a deceased person who was unhoused while conducting surveys and outreach on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. The discovery occurred in the area of Woodlawn Road and Interstate 77, where volunteers were working to count and assist people experiencing homelessness.
Officials said law enforcement was immediately notified. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. No additional details about the individual or the cause of death were released.
In a statement, Mecklenburg County Government said, “It is always a tragedy when someone passes away in this manner while living unsheltered. It is a stark reminder of why staff and volunteers are passionate about this work, all attempting to make a difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable people. An incident like this reinforces that sometimes that difference can mean life or death for our neighbors, and why housing insecurity remains a Mecklenburg County priority.”
The Point-in-Time Count is held every January and involves volunteers going into the community to count individuals who are unhoused and help connect them with available resources. The 2026 count began the night of Jan. 21 and continued during the day on Thursday, Jan. 22.
