Tragic Loss of Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London Cadet

Date:  February 6, 2020

Subject:  Tragic Loss of Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London Cadet

To the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London (TCA-NL) Family,

It is with great regret, anguish and a heavy heart that I am writing to inform you of a death of a Cadet.  As a beloved Cadet, he was a member of Class 53 at the New London campus of Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy.  We have been in contact with the family to share the limited information we have, and express our sincere sympathies during this time of tragic loss.

We are providing grief counseling for Cadets and Staff to aid in comfort, resolution and related emotional stress. Please know that all Cadets are fine and in no danger! Our number one priority is the Cadets’ health, safety, and welfare.  It is disheartening to see misrepresentation by the media of the tragedy after the official press release creating more distress.

“We extend our genuine sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow Cadets as we hold them decisively in our hearts and prayers during this most difficult time.”  It is our wish that everyone please respect the privacy and understand the sensitivity for this situation to the family. The cause of death is under investigation by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department. The deceased is a minor prohibiting release of personal information without parental/guardian consent. The academy staff and the North Carolina National Guard are cooperating fully with the law enforcement investigation. Please join us in our support to them with kindness and sympathy at this time. 

Sincerely,

Edward W. Timmons

Colonel (Retired) Edward W. Timmons

State Director

Tarheel Challenge Academy