The Avery County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a missing man was found dead inside a car submerged in the Elk River.
Barry Hertel, 71, was last seen on Friday, December 22nd in Banner Elk. On Tuesday, around 9:30 a.m., the Avery County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a vehicle in the river off NC 194.
The vehicle was Hertel’s and his body was inside.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is now in charge of the investigation.