In the autumn of 2024, a 31-year-old woman named Caitlin Davis Tarlton was last seen in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 1st. Her disappearance occurred in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a storm that caused significant devastation, power outages, and flooding throughout western North Carolina. Amid the turmoil, hundreds of people were unaccounted for, and Caitlin was one of them.
Described as a white female, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing between 130 and 140 pounds, she has brown hair and green eyes. Her distinctive tattoos include the letter 'D' on her left hand, Roman numerals on her left arm, a cross behind her right ear, moons on her neck, and a peace sign on her right finger.
The Asheville Police Department opened an investigation into her disappearance, and her case was entered into national missing persons databases. Concern for her safety was heightened by the turbulent conditions in which she was last seen. The community shared her information widely, hoping for any leads that might help to locate her. The uncertainty of her whereabouts was a heavy burden for her family and friends as the days and weeks passed without any news.
Months later, it was discovered that Caitlin Tarlton was no longer a missing person. She was located on May 4, 2025, when she was arrested in Buncombe County, North Carolina. The charges against her included felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and second-degree trespass. This development, while unexpected, brought an end to the search and confirmed that she was alive. The circumstances that led to her disappearance and subsequent arrest remain largely private, and it is unclear if her going missing was directly related to the hurricane or other personal factors. The case, which began with a missing person report in the wake of a natural disaster, concluded with her being located by law enforcement.Last Seen: Oct 1, 2024
