Body believed to be that of missing 23-year-old woman found in Cabarrus County

Police on Wednesday found remains of a body believed to be that of a 23-year-old woman who went missing from her Charlotte home last week.

The remains were found in woods in Cabarrus County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Police have been searching since last week for Tru Quan Le, who went by “Sandy,” and co-workers Alexandro “Alex” Castillo, 17, and Ahmia Feaster, 19. They worked at the Showmars restaurant on Little Rock Road, police said.

Police said they are investigating the disappearance of the three as a homicide, and warrants have been issued for Castillo and Feaster charging them with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Castillo and Feaster are believed to have crossed into Mexico, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Major Cam Selvey said at a news conference on Tuesday.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, CMPD Deputy Chief Doug Gallant declined to say what evidence led police to search for Le’s body in Cabarrus County woods where the remains were found.

CMPD detectives coordinated the search with help from the Charlotte Fire Department, Robinson Volunteer Fire Department and Medic on Wednesday afternoon, CMPD said in a statement.

“Detectives will be working alongside the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office since the body was discovered in Cabarrus County,” the statement said. “The medical examiner will confirm the victim’s identity and determine the cause of death.”

WBTV, the Observer’s news partner, reported that Le’s family was at the scene where the remains were found.

The station reported that cellphone “pings” led police to the area.

Le’s 2003 Toyota Corolla was recovered in Phoenix, Selvey said, and was considered stolen, thus leading to charges against the other two.

There was no evidence recovered from the car that indicated any violence, Selvey said.

Le, last seen last Tuesday, withdrew $1,000 from her bank about the time she disappeared. Castillo and Feaster were last seen Wednesday.

A car belonging to Feaster, who was supposed to start at Central Piedmont Community College next week, was found on Dulin Creek Boulevard on Saturday.

Selvey said the FBI has joined the investigation.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 704-432-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Staff writer Mark Washburn and staff videographer Davie Hinshaw contributed.

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Body believed to be that of missing 23-year-old woman found in Cabarrus County."