CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For many, a graveyard is where you’d go to feel closer to a loved one who has died, but the mother of a missing Belmont man says it’s a landfill -- buried in piles of garbage.
Andy Tench was last seen in March celebrating his 31st birthday in Charlotte. Tench went to The Bar at 316 in Charlotte but never came home. His car was found abandoned in Monroe days later.
In April, 26-year-old D'Shaun Robinson was arrested in connection with Tench's disappearance. Robinson told Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police he put the man's body in the trash, according to an affidavit obtained by WCNC Charlotte.
It's still unclear exactly how Tench died.
Detectives searched the home of 26-year-old D'Shaun Montrell Robinson, who voluntarily went to police headquarters for an interview. Robinson was arrested following that interview and faces numerous charges in connection with Tench's disappearance. Robinson allegedly told detectives that he disposed of Tench's body in the trash and didn't notify police.
But by June, Tench's body has still not been found and his mother is taking action.
Now, Tracie Blanton, Tench's mother, is pushing CMPD to go digging for answers.
"Do they want me to go sit down in the middle of Anson County landfill and put flowers out," Blanton said. "Do you want us to sit down in a pile of trash and visit Andy there, or do they want to do the hard work ... it will be hard work but it can be done and we get Andy’s body recovered."
While stories of successful landfill searches are rare, finding a body is not unheard of.
For example, Colorado authorities found the body of Jennifer Blagg in a landfill in 2002.
Blanton says she’s hoping for the same success in finding Andy.
"They would move heaven and earth if it were one of their children they would go make sure, and Andy is no different," Blanton said.
Blanton has now started a petition gaining nearly 500 signatures. She said once she reaches a thousand she’s hoping to present it to the mayor and CMPD, with hopes of finally being able to say goodbye.
"Andy deserves a dignified burial," Blanton said.
CMPD said Tench's missing person case remains active and has promised to share more information as it develops. The department also noted officers had met with Tench's family. Anyone who can help provide new details should call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600 or leave a tip online.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to CMPD to see where the department is in search efforts but has not received a response.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.