Second arrest made in Candler homicide of Joseph Rose

Buncombe County deputies arrested 20-year-old Avery Kate Deeds on Jan. 14 and charged her with concealment of an unnatural death, marking a second arrest in the homicide investigation that began in December. Deeds is being held in the Buncombe County Detention Facility on $80,000 bond.

The case centers on the death of Joseph Rose, who was found Dec. 12 near a home on Gilbert B Crook Road in Candler after being reported missing. Preliminary autopsy results determined Rose died from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators have characterized the matter as a homicide investigation since Rose’s body was discovered.

Earlier in the inquiry, deputies arrested 21-year-old Johnathan David Paleno of Cullowhee on Dec. 19. Paleno was charged with first-degree murder and taken into custody by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office; he is currently held in the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond. With Deeds’ arrest this week, law enforcement officials say the probe has reached a new stage while investigative work continues.

“Our detectives have been committed to bringing justice and closure for Joseph Rose’s family. Their dedication to this case has led to this latest arrest, and we are proud of our team and the work they have put in on this investigation,” Executive Lieutenant Doug Underwood said. The sheriff’s office also encouraged anyone with information to contact investigators as they continue to piece together events surrounding Rose’s death.

For residents of Candler and surrounding Buncombe County neighborhoods, the arrests offer a measure of progress in a case that prompted alarm when Rose was reported missing and later found deceased. The presence of two people now in custody, one held without bond and one held on an $80,000 bond, signals that prosecutors may be working toward formal charges and upcoming court proceedings that could bring further public details.

The investigation underscores coordinated law enforcement activity across county lines, with Jackson County deputies assisting in the Dec. 19 arrest and Buncombe officers leading the ongoing inquiry. For the Rose family and neighbors, the arrests may begin to provide answers; for the broader community, they highlight the importance of reporting tips and cooperating with detectives.

As the case moves through the criminal justice system, residents can expect additional developments in court filings and hearings. Officials say the investigation remains active, and authorities continue to seek information from anyone who may have relevant details.