ELLERBE — Human remains found in the Ellerbe area in December have been identified as those of 75-year-old Roxanne Louise Shrewsbury, according to a Facebook post shared Tuesday evening by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators determined Shrewsbury died of natural causes, with no evidence of foul play.
Deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office were called to Shrewsbury’s residence on Concord Church Road on Dec. 26, 2025, to conduct a welfare check after a friend was unable to reach her. The call quickly developed into a missing-person investigation, officials said.
“In a remarkable display of dedication, Sheriff Mark Gulledge shares that on December 26, 2025, deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Concord Church Road in Ellerbe for a welfare check after the victim’s friend reached out, unable to establish contact, demonstrating the power of community care. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the residence was unlocked and conducted a sweep, transitioning the incident into a missing-person investigation with hope and determination,” the post read.
As part of the investigation, the remains were sent to the state medical examiner’s office for identification.
According to the sheriff’s office, “the remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s South Regional Piedmont Region Autopsy Center for identification purposes, where experts worked diligently to uncover the truth.”
The sheriff’s office said the investigation confirmed Shrewsbury’s identity and determined her death was not suspicious, allowing her family to receive closure.
“The investigation concluded that the manner of death was natural causes, with no evidence of foul play contributing to Shrewsbury’s death, providing peace to those who loved her. Sheriff Mark Gulledge extends his sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Shrewsbury, holding them in hope and strength during this difficult time,” the post concluded.