After mounting public criticism, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is defending its decision not to search a landfill for the body of a missing Belmont man, Andy Tench.
CMPD said in a statement Monday that after consulting with experts familiar with the size and operation of the Anson County landfill, they have concluded there is not sufficient evidence to warrant excavations at the site.
Tracie Blanton, Tench’s mother, is not happy with CMPD’s decision.
“I am very angry,” Blanton said in a text message. “They have no corroborating evidence because the detective and CMPD waited two weeks to go over the dumpster footage, so it was recorded.”
The new police statement in the case follows a petition that has collected more than 1,000 signatures calling on CMPD and city leaders to search for Tench’s remains.
It’s been almost three months since Tench went missing under mysterious circumstances.
He was last seen on March 25, 2024, leaving his home with plans to celebrate his birthday at The Bar at 316 in Charlotte. What was meant to be a night of celebration took a tragic turn, leading to Tench’s disappearance and the arrest of D’Shaun Montrell Robinson in connection with the case.
Robinson told police that the night out with Tench ended with Tench’s body being dumped in a dumpster behind a Charlotte-area hotel, according to court records. However, authorities did not search a landfill in Anson County, where some believe Tench’s body would now be located if it were indeed placed in that dumpster.
Despite Robinson’s story, police said Monday there is no corroborating evidence to support his version of the events leading to Tench’s disappearance. Robinson has been charged with concealing a death and felony stealing Tench’s car and using his financial cards.
“I understand the weight of grief, fear and heartache that a mother or any parent would experience if their child is missing and if there is no closure. You want answers. As a mother, I understand,” CMPD Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington said in a CMPD news release. “We will continue our efforts to bring resolution and closure for Andrew’s mother, his family and this investigation.”
CMPD did not immediately respond to the question of which landfill expert they consulted with.
The investigation into Tench’s disappearance is still ongoing. Members of the public are encouraged to provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or through the website http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
