19-year-old mistaken for panther shot to death in ‘ill-fated’ prank, NC officials say

An “ill-fated” prank led to the death of a 19-year-old woman mistakenly shot dead by her boyfriend and another man, North Carolina authorities said.

District Attorney Andrew Murray called the October death of Rachel Buchanan outside Hendersonville “a tragic and heart-wrenching accident” in a news release.

Buchanan, her boyfriend and another couple were hanging out Oct. 20 at a home outside Hendersonville, about 105 miles west of Charlotte, when the two men left on foot to retrieve a phone charger, Murray wrote.

The two men took their legally-owned firearms because of local legends about a black panther prowling in the woods, the release said.

“There is no doubt that several alleged black panther sightings had the Conservative Lane residents on edge for their safety and wellbeing,” Murray wrote. One of the men and his father told investigators they had previously seen the panther, the release said.

While the men were gone, Buchanan and her friend hid in the bushes to throw rotten eggs at them as they returned as a prank, Murray wrote.

As the men walked back, the women crouched down to hide, causing Buchanan’s friend to pass gas, the release said. The two women laughed.

The returning men mistook the noise for the sound of a panther growling and sticks breaking, Murray wrote.

The two men opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9 mm pistol, the release said. Buchanan was hit three times, once in the head and chest, and died.

The men heard Buchanan’s friend screaming for help and stopped firing, the release said. Blood tests showed neither man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“I am convinced that the shooting and killing of Rachel Olivia Buchanan was a tragic and heart wrenching accident,” Murray wrote, saying no laws were violated.

“Regrettably, everyone involved in the loss of Ms. Buchanan’s life must forever live with their personal decision-making and actions on this ill-fated night,” he wrote. “The vibrant life of a loved one and friend was senselessly cut far too short.”

No charges will be filed in the case, which has been closed, Murray wrote.