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Hiwassee Dam – After a 74-year-old Cross Creek Lane woman was found dead by sheriff’s deputies, three dogs – two pit bulls and a Great Pyrenees – were seized and suspected in her death.
The victim was identified as Diane Emily Pellington, 74, whose obituary said died on Feb. 25. Pellington lived alone at a house on the 500 block of Cross Creek Lane, and her family had requested a welfare check at about the same time she was located.
“On the evening of Feb. 25, 2026, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to a report of a possible deceased individual in the 500 block of Cross Creek Lane in the Hiwassee Dam community,” according to a release. “Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the presence of a deceased person.”
Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded.
“Based on observations at the scene, the death did not appear to be from natural causes, and a formal investigation was initiated,” according to the release. “Assistance was requested from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation.”
An autopsy was conducted Friday at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
“Preliminary findings indicate the manner of death was the result of a dog attack,” according to the release.
Sheriff Chris Wood put it succinctly on Monday.
“The manner of death determined at autopsy is ‘dog attack’,” he told the Cherokee Scout.
Early Friday evening, investigators seized three dogs from a neighboring residence on Cross Creek Lane. The animals are being held in quarantine pending further investigation, which is ongoing.
“All the dogs involved in this tragic incident were known to live in the neighborhood and were on their owner’s property at the time of the attack,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement issued Monday.
Responding agencies included the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, State Bureau of Investigation, N.C. Highway Patrol, District Attorney’s Office and Hiwassee Dam Fire Department.
“Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office sends our condolences to Ms. Pellington’s family and will hold her loved ones close in our thoughts and prayers,” according to the sheriff’s office statement Monday. “We also ask that everyone respect their privacy as they navigate this difficult time.”
Diane Emily Pellington had worked as a veterinarian assistant, according to her obituary.
“She loved anything concerning research and being outdoors. Diane was well organized very spiritual. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Diane was a very loving grandmother, and everything was always about her grandbabies.”