26-Year-Old Woman Found Dead in Lincoln County

Hope Pascual Vergara, a 26-year-old woman reported missing in Lincoln County, was found deceased after an extensive search covering over 1,700 acres. She went missing on January 5, shortly after walking away from her home on Don McGinnis Road around 5:40 a.m. Multiple agencies, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Gaston County Emergency Services, participated in the search. Sheriff Bill Beam confirmed her body was found, but did not disclose the exact location or cause of death, while noting that the investigation is ongoing. No foul play is currently suspected in her death. The search for Vergara highlights the efforts of local law enforcement and community partners in addressing missing person cases.