Wilmington, North Carolina (September 04, 2026) – Wilmington police are investigating a vehicle found near Watermark Marina off River Road with two unidentified bodies inside, in a case connected to two women who had been reported missing.
According to Wilmington police, a gray 2013 man registered to 25-year-old person was found shortly after 3 p.m. Monday outside Watermark Marina off River Road.
Two unidentified bodies were found inside the vehicle, according to police.
People had been reported missing after they were last seen leaving their apartment on South Kerr Avenue on April 15.
Wilmington police said the vehicle found near the marina may have been involved in an “extremely high-velocity crash.”
Police said 911 records show that officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel were dispatched around midnight on April 15 to the area where the vehicle was eventually discovered.
According to information provided by police, a caller reported seeing a vehicle traveling west on Independence Boulevard at a high rate of speed. The caller reportedly believed the vehicle may have struck a wall before continuing into a wooded area.
Emergency crews searched the area that night, but the search did not locate the vehicle or the missing women.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify the two bodies and determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and deaths. Additional information may be released as investigators continue their work.
Steps To Take When Someone Goes Missing in Wilmington, North Carolina
When a person is reported missing, timely communication with law enforcement and preservation of relevant information can assist investigators and search teams.
1. Contact Law Enforcement
Report a missing person to law enforcement as soon as possible and provide investigators with identifying information, recent photographs, clothing descriptions, vehicle information, and known locations.
2. Preserve Relevant Information
Keep phone records, messages, social media information, vehicle details, and other potentially relevant information available for investigators.
3. Share Accurate Information
When seeking information from the public, provide authorities with accurate details and avoid spreading unverified claims that could interfere with an investigation.
4. Provide Information About Vehicles and Locations
Details about a missing person’s vehicle, travel route, last known location, and places they may have visited can be important to search efforts.
5. Follow Official Updates
Families and members of the public should rely on official law enforcement updates for confirmed information as an investigation develops.
Notes: Information in this report is based on the details provided. Police had not confirmed that the two bodies found inside the vehicle were those of Paige Escalera and Stephanie Mayorga. The investigation into the vehicle, the crash, and the identities of the recovered individuals remains ongoing.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on publicly available or provided public-safety information. This report is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or solicitation.
This report is compiled from publicly available accounts and may be updated as more information becomes available. If you or a loved one was involved, contact Speaks Law Firm for a free, confidential case review.
