North Meck sophomore found dead in Massachusetts

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department has joined the investigation to find out how the mangled body of a North Mecklenburg High School sophomore ended up on a Massachusetts street.

A driver spotted the body of Delvonte Tisdale, 16, of Charlotte, Nov. 15 in a wealthy neighborhood in Milton, Mass. The teen’s family had reported him missing earlier that day.

Massachusetts investigators are baffled how the teenager ended up badly mutilated in the exclusive neighborhood near Boston. Police identified him through fingerprints because his injuries were so severe, Boston newspapers have reported.

Charlotte police have said the teen was last at school Nov. 12 and last seen the night of Nov. 14.

Theories surrounding his disappearance, the Boston Herald has reported, have been varied, including that the boy may have fallen from a jet. The Boston Herald reported police have contacted officials at Logan International Airport in Boston who believe there is a “remote possibility” the teen may have stowed away on a jet and fell to his death, since Milton is along the flight path for Boston-bound aircraft.

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport officials said they were unaware of any breaches in security that would have allowed Tisdale to stowaway on a jet from Charlotte bound for Boston.

Tisdale moved to Charlotte with his family about five months ago from Greensboro and began attending North Meck. He joined the Air Force Junior ROTC and made friends quickly.

The school had grief counselors on hand earlier this week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders said. The school held a moment of silence for him on Monday, Nov. 22.

His stepsister told WCNC Tisdale didn’t like living in North Carolina and had likely tried to run away to Baltimore. He has lived there and has family in the Baltimore area.

Calls to his family were not returned.

Tisdale turned 16 on Nov. 8.