MISSING TEEN FOUND DEAD: BOYFRIEND NOW WANTED BY POLICE
In a devastating development that has shocked a small community and drawn national attention, a missing 17-year-old girl who had been the subject of an intense days-long search has been found dead, and authorities have now issued an arrest warrant for her boyfriend, who has vanished and is considered a prime suspect in what’s being investigated as a homicide.
The Tragic Discovery
The body of Kayla Bennett, a high school senior from Ashridge, North Carolina, was discovered late Friday evening in a wooded area off a rural highway approximately 40 miles from her home. Police say her remains were located after a tip led investigators to a secluded part of Rockford County. The site was described as “deliberately concealed”, and police believe Kayla may have been there for several days.
The discovery comes just five days after Kayla was reported missing by her parents, who became alarmed when she failed to return home after meeting up with her 19-year-old boyfriend, Logan Pierce. Initially treated as a possible runaway case, the situation quickly escalated when Kayla’s phone was found abandoned near a gas station outside town, her purse and ID still inside her car.
Boyfriend Goes Missing
Logan Pierce, once cooperative in the early stages of the investigation, has now disappeared. According to law enforcement officials, he skipped a scheduled interview with detectives two days ago and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. His last known location was traced to a motel in South Carolina, where surveillance footage shows him checking in alone before leaving in the early morning hours.
In a statement late Saturday night, Ashridge Police Chief Carla Jennings said:
“We are officially considering Logan Pierce a suspect in the homicide of Kayla Bennett. A warrant for his arrest has been issued. We are urging him to turn himself in, and we are working with state and federal agencies to locate him.”
A Community in Mourning
The small town of Ashridge has been left heartbroken by the news. Candlelight vigils and social media tributes have poured in for Kayla, who was known as a bright, artistic, and compassionate teen. Friends say she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and had recently been accepted into a state university.
Her mother, Melissa Bennett, spoke through tears outside their home on Saturday:
“She was our only child. Our world. And now she’s just… gone. If anyone knows where Logan is, please come forward. We just want justice for our baby girl.”
A Troubled Relationship
While many classmates described Kayla and Logan as a seemingly happy couple, police sources suggest there were signs of a troubled relationship behind the scenes.
Court records reveal that Logan had a prior misdemeanor charge for assault involving a former girlfriend, and Kayla’s friends reportedly told investigators she had expressed fears about his jealousy and controlling behavior. Some texts recovered from her phone reportedly show arguments in the days leading up to her disappearance.
“He didn’t like her talking to other guys,” one friend, who asked not to be named, told a local reporter. “She had started pulling away from him and he wasn’t handling it well.”
Detectives have not confirmed the specific cause of Kayla’s death but say the autopsy points to “evidence of foul play,” and that the nature of the injuries suggest a violent encounter.
The Search for Logan Pierce
Law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals and FBI, have joined the manhunt for Logan Pierce, who may be armed and dangerous. He was last seen driving a gray 2008 Ford Escape, license plate FZK-2194, and authorities believe he may be attempting to flee out of state.
Chief Jennings urged the public not to approach him but to report any sightings immediately:
“We are asking anyone who may have seen Logan Pierce or his vehicle to contact our tip line. No lead is too small.”
There is now a $25,000 reward being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
Social Media Uproar
The case has sparked outrage across social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForKayla and #FindLoganPierce trending on Twitter and Instagram. Many are calling for harsher laws around dating violence and warning signs in young relationships.
One widely shared post reads:
“If your daughter says she feels scared of her boyfriend, believe her. Don’t wait. Don’t brush it off. Kayla didn’t get the chance to get away.”
Kayla’s death has also ignited conversations about teen relationship abuse, which experts say is alarmingly common and often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
Dr. Marissa Langford, a psychologist who works with youth trauma survivors, said:
“Too often, young women feel trapped in emotionally or physically abusive relationships and don’t know how to seek help. We need more education, more awareness, and more support for our teens.”
A Family’s Plea
As investigators work around the clock to locate Logan Pierce, Kayla’s family is preparing for a funeral they never imagined planning. Friends and neighbors have set up a GoFundMe to assist with memorial costs, and the school where Kayla attended plans to dedicate a mural in her honor.
Melissa Bennett closed her brief press statement with a plea:
“Please don’t let my daughter’s life end in silence. Help us find Logan. Help us make sure this doesn’t happen to another girl.”
What’s Next
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A public memorial service for Kayla is planned for Thursday evening.
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Authorities will be holding a press briefing once the autopsy is finalized.
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The national manhunt for Logan Pierce is ongoing, with updated leads expected to be shared later this week.
If you have information about Logan Pierce’s whereabouts, please contact the Ashridge Police Department at 1-800-555-TIPS. All calls can remain anonymous.
