Asheville man found dead in Old Fort remembered as 'joyful' YMCA youth mentor; death cert

ASHEVILLE — While the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the death of Asheville local DeAndre “Desmond” Clark, his family and coworkers shared memories of a young father who spent most of his time helping children at the local YMCA and West Buncombe Elementary School.

The 22-year-old was first reported missing to the Asheville Police Department on April 19 by his mother, an APD spokesperson previously told the Citizen Times. Three days later, McDowell sheriff's officers responding to a call about a body located on Batcave Road in the Old Fort Community found him behind an abandoned business with a gunshot wound to the head, according to his newly released death certificate.

Amy Deter, YMCA Executive Director of Youth Services and one of Clark’s supervisors, said the young leader had an impact on children across town, and everyone is reeling from the loss of someone she described as irreplaceable and unique.

“He was a joy, and just full of potential and full of life,” Deter said. “I think everyone just feels sad, angry, all of the emotions and all of the grief.”

Before he was promoted to the YMCA’s program coordinator at West Buncombe Elementary School in November, Clark worked as a youth mentor, teaching local children “how to solve their problems and control their emotions,” Deter said.

Over the last month before his disappearance, Deter said the children Clark used to work with at Oakley Elementary School were earning points for a big prize. For their grand prize, they wanted Clark – or “Dez” – to come back and be their counselor for the day.

“Dez had a natural way of being fun and joyful,” Deter said. “He didn’t really have to do anything. He’d just give the kids a funny look and they’d giggle and fall over themselves.”

Previous reporting: Missing Asheville man, 22, found dead behind abandoned business in Old Fort, sheriff says

Clark’s aunt, LaShonda Clark, said her nephew loved working with youth and it “was all he talked about.” And the feeling seems mutual – on a GoFundMe page started by his mother, comments from parents of children he cared for describe his smile and laughter.

Now, Clark’s coworkers at the YMCA are putting together a memory book for his family with drawings and notes from the children and staff, all in celebration of Clark, Deter said.

A father of a 3-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, Clark was born and raised in Asheville, attending Asheville Middle School and graduating from Asheville High School, LaShonda Clark said.

Clark’s aunt said everyone had a different nickname for him, but the one she referred to him by was “iddle minniddle skiddle” because of his love of skittles.

“He’s going to be loved and missed by everyone,” LaShonda Clark said.

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Death certificate released and update on investigation

Clark's mother last saw him at her home in Hillcrest on April 18 before she said he went to see some friends across town, APD spokesperson Rick Rice previously told the Citizen Times. Clark was at work the next day, Deter said.

His newly released death certificate indicates Clark suffered a gunshot wound to the head, although his manner of death is still listed as pending as of May 9. The sheriff's office did not respond to whether it is investigating his death as a homicide.

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation at the request of the sheriff’s office, spokesperson Angie Grube told the Citizen Times.

“I hear Asheville PD and possibly Black Mountain PD may be involved,” Grube said.

Scott Styles, 48, was arrested and charged with larceny and breaking and entering a motor vehicle after he was found driving Clark’s car by Black Mountain Police Department officers on April 23, according to a McDowell Sheriff’s news release. The release didn’t indicate if Styles was involved in Clark’s death, and the sheriff’s office did not answer questions regarding his level of involvement.

In response to questions, McDowell Sheriff spokesperson D’jan Vallini said, “we're not going to release any details of this case at this time.”

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Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville man found dead in Old Fort was a 'joyful' YMCA youth mentor