Yates death still
under investigation

The State Bureau of Investigations has been called in to assist investigators with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office regarding the death of Sharon Yates.

Officers were called to the camper where Yates, 50, was living on Clarence Newton Road in the Blowing Rock community at 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 28. The incident report of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office states Yates was dead on arrival.

Watauga medical examiner Dr. Brent Hall said the cause of death was “blunt force chest trauma, secondary to a pedestrian, motor vehicle accident.” Police are not releasing any further information pertaining to the incident, saying only that interviews are being conducted throughout the week.

— Melanie Davis, staff writer