A Morganton man, missing for almost week after a vehicle chase, is found deceased over the weekend.

32-year-old Douglas Allen Cox of Dysartsville Road, was in a vehicle chase with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office last Monday, that ended at Powerhouse Road and Conley Bumgarner Road in Burke County. Cox jumped from the vehicle and ran towards the river but was not located.

On Saturday about 2 p.m., Cox's body was found in the Catawba River near where he was believed to have entered the river.

The Medical Examiner's opinion was that Cox died of accidental drowning.

Agencies involved in the case include the Burke County Sheriff's Office, Burke Emergency Management and Rescue Squad, the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and the State Highway Patrol.

Local lawmen find drugs while looking for a cellphone that’s believed to hold evidence in another case.

A news release from Drexel Police states 35-year-old Todd Alan Setzer is charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a schedule two controlled substance, felony possession of meth, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers reportedly executed a search warrant Thursday night in attempts to locate a cellphone believed to hold information about a breaking entering and larceny case.

The release states officials located 23 grams of meth, nearly 2-thousand dollars in cash and drug paraphernalia.

The cellphone is question was discovered as well.

Setzer’s bond was set at 50-thousand dollars secured.

His first court appearance was earlier today.

Valdese Police and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division assisted in the search.

A gas line malfunction appears to be the culprit in a reported fire Wednesday at District Attorney Scott Reilly’s home in Conover.

Reilly told fire investigators his wife was cooking when a fire ignited behind the stove around 6:30 Wednesday evening.

A second and larger fire started in the home’s basement along a gas line.

No one was injured in the incident.

Officials with the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office say the fire is still under investigation, and there is no evidence of criminal involvement.

The fire marshal is being assisted with the investigation by the SBI and the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.