Foul smell reported by maintenance worker leads to discovery of human remains inside home

CLYDE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A death investigation is underway after human remains were found in a western North Carolina duplex.

According to a news release from the Haywood County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a "suspicious situation" around 12:45 p.m. Friday on James Street in Clyde.

A maintenance worker had reported a foul smell and discovered what appeared to be human remains inside a duplex.

The sheriff's office, along with Haywood County Emergency Services and Canton Fire Department, secured the area.

A search warrant was subsequently issued and human remains were found.

On Monday, the sheriff's office said the remains were those of 26-year-old Joshua Lee Wayne Seagraves, of Clyde, who was last seen Oct. 14.

The sheriff's office added that this was an isolated incident and there was "no threat to the community."

"The Haywood County Sheriff's Office offers our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time," the agency added in a social media post.

The death remains under investigation.