The first homicide of 2026 in Buncombe County is under investigation, according to the sheriff's office, which released information on the case March 9. The investigation began with a missing person report filed Feb. 24. A friend of sixty-one-year-old Marco Loretto reported him missing after not seeing or hearing from him for nearly a week, WLOS reports. Body Found Near Elk Mountain Scenic Highway On March 4, authorities discovered a body near Elk Mountain Scenic Highway. The body was later iden