GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A wave of grief has swept through a North Carolina community following the heartbreaking confirmation that 30-year-old Justin Bright has been found dead, several days after he was first reported missing. His mother, Carla Pridgen, confirmed to The North Carolina Beat on Thursday night that her son’s body has been recovered and sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh for a full autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
For more than a week, Pridgen had been holding onto hope that her son would be found safe. That hope was tragically shattered when she received the devastating news. “I just wanted my baby to come home,” Pridgen said tearfully, describing the unbearable pain of losing her only son.
According to authorities, Justin was last seen around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in the La Grange area. When his phone suddenly went silent and he didn’t return home, friends and family immediately feared something was wrong. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Justin was officially reported missing around 3:30 a.m. on October 23, sparking a large-scale search that spanned several counties.
Before his disappearance, Justin had been driving a smoke gray 2025 Toyota Camry with black rims—a key detail that would later guide investigators as they traced his movements. A GPS tracker in the vehicle recorded a troubling route through several cities before the car was ultimately recovered.
Pridgen shared a timeline of the vehicle’s final locations as tracked by GPS:
- Goldsboro, NC: The first ping placed the car near Connie Walk, a trailer park area familiar to residents.
- Mount Olive, NC: The next location was 918 Church Street, where searchers discovered one of Justin’s bracelets and an air freshener from his car tossed in a nearby yard — an eerie discovery that intensified fears for his safety.
- Clinton, NC: The trail then led to 327 Stewart Avenue, deepening the mystery surrounding Justin’s movements.
- Raleigh, NC: The final ping came from near West Grove Tower, close to an apartment complex where the car was later located, towed, and processed by authorities.
Despite locating the vehicle, Justin remained missing—until the painful confirmation that his body had been found. Officials have not yet revealed where he was discovered or the circumstances surrounding his death.
As of now, no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. Investigators continue to reconstruct the events leading to Justin’s disappearance and death. The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine how and why his life was tragically cut short.
Justin Bright is remembered by his loved ones as a vibrant, kind, and loyal man who brought joy to everyone around him. Friends say his smile could light up a room and that he had a heart full of compassion and generosity.
As the investigation moves forward, the Goldsboro community has come together in mourning—sharing prayers, condolences, and support for the Pridgen family as they face an unimaginable loss.
The family has asked for privacy as they grieve and await answers from ongoing investigative efforts.
Rest in Peace, Justin Bright (1995–2025).
Your memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved you.
2 thoughts on “Mother Confirms Missing Son from Goldsboro Found Dead; Body Sent to Raleigh Medical Examiner”
- “My heart breaks for Carla and her family. No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain.” – Angela R.
- “Praying for justice and peace for Justin. He was loved and will be deeply missed.” – Derrick M.
