The city of Wilmington is mourning after the heartbreaking discovery of a woman’s body last week near Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Authorities with the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) have now identified the woman as 45-year-old Susan Swann Crews, a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina.
According to WPD, officers were called to the 4100 block of MLK Jr. Parkway, near Kerr Avenue, around 12:30 p.m. on November 4, after receiving reports of a body found near a wooded area along the tree line. When officers arrived, they confirmed the tragic discovery.
Investigators have since stated that no foul play is suspected at this time, though the official cause of death has not yet been determined. An autopsy will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.
News of Susan’s passing has left those who knew her heartbroken. Friends describe her as kind, thoughtful, and full of life — someone who brought light to every room she entered. “She had such a gentle soul and a beautiful heart,” one family friend said. “It’s hard to imagine she’s gone.”
The loss has also deeply affected the Raleigh community, where Susan lived and worked. Those close to her remember her love for helping others and her strong sense of compassion. Her passing serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is to cherish the moments we share with the people we love.
As investigators continue their work, police have thanked the public for their patience and support. “At this stage, there’s no evidence of foul play, but we are waiting for the medical examiner’s report before making any final conclusions,” said a spokesperson for the Wilmington Police Department.
The department has not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the discovery, but they are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area on November 4 to contact them.
💔 The community joins together in prayer and remembrance of Susan Swann Crews, a life gone too soon but never forgotten. May her family and friends find peace in the midst of their grief, and may Susan rest in eternal comfort.