Accident – death – Obituary News :

Leicester Man Charged with Concealing death after Overdose

ASHEVILLE — In a shocking turn of events, a Leicester man was recently charged with concealing or failing to report a death, following the discovery of another body at his residence. The incident occurred on December 12, when a 61-year-old male family member of Craig Ross Griffin was found dead from an overdose at 59 Israel Road, where Griffin lives. Buncombe County Sheriff spokesperson Aaron Sarver confirmed that the death was not considered suspicious, hence no additional charges were filed against Griffin.

Griffin, 57, was subsequently arrested on December 15 and charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and concealing or failing to report a death. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office had earlier released the name of the deceased, 41-year-old Jenny Marie Grant, whom deputies found dead in a van at 51 Indian Hills Drive in Leicester during the execution of a search warrant. This discovery led to Griffin’s charge of concealing a death.

Although the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office normally does not disclose the names of individuals who die from drug overdoses, the office stated that they were complying with a public records request in this particular instance. Sarver clarified that Grant and Griffin were acquaintances or friends, but not blood relatives or involved in a romantic relationship.

Jenny Marie Grant, a native of Asheville who resided in Leicester, is survived by her parents, brother, and four children. Her online obituary listed her occupation as a homemaker, and her cause of death is still pending. The FBI is currently investigating human remains found in the nearby Pisgah National Forest, while another body discovered in Fontana Lake has been identified as an Asheville-area man.

Griffin’s arrest warrant provided further details about the “weapon of mass destruction” he possessed—a pipe bomb filled with nails and metallic balls. The Asheville Police Department’s and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squads safely detonated the homemade explosive device at the scene. Griffin is currently being held at the Buncombe County Detention Facility, and his bond has been raised from $65,000 to $105,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 8.

Michael Casterline, Griffin’s attorney, confirmed that the prosecution had requested the bond increase during a hearing, which the defense objected to. However, the judge ultimately decided to raise the bond amount. Casterline declined to comment further on the case at this time.

For more information on local crime and public safety news, contact Ryley Ober, Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network, at rober@gannett.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @ryleyober.

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