Homicide suspected in UNCC woman's death

James

Mount Holly Police today said a 20-year-old UNC Charlotte woman whose body was found Monday next to her car on the banks of the Catawba River died from asphyxiation and that the case is being investigated as a homicide.

In an afternoon news conference, Mount Holly Police Chief David Belk said authorities had leads in the death of Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko, but didn't release additional information.

Belk also addressed fears in the community.

"There's nothing to indicate there is someone out there that's stalking or chasing people," he said.

Yarmolenko's body was discovered directly behind the Waters Edge development and the Stowe Family YMCA. Authorities said the car appeared to have gone down the dead-end YMCA Drive and continued straight through an overgrown clearing between two wooded areas. From there, it traveled several yards down a steep embankment and struck a stump at the water's edge.

At 7 tonight, Yarmolenko's friends will honor her with a candlelight vigil on the UNC Charlotte campus.

charlotteobserver.com

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