Motel death ruled ‘self-inflicted intentional act’

Black Mountain authorities complete investigation into explosion

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 30, 2022

An explosion that occurred in May at a Black Mountain motel was the result of a self-inflicted and intentional act, an investigation has determined. Photo by Fred McCormick

An explosion in May at a Black Mountain motel that claimed the life of one person was the result of a suicide, an investigation has determined. 

Local authorities, who responded to a call at the Apple Blossom Motel on West State Street just after 10 p.m. on Memorial Day, were assisted in the inquiry by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, according to Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker.

No additional injuries were reported in the explosion or resulting fire, which occurred in a room on the east side of the building. 

Law enforcement officials began a three-week investigation into the incident after locating the body of a deceased woman on the scene. 

“There was no evidence, at all, that there was a meth lab,” the chief said in response to a rumor that emerged in the days following the fire. “The incident appeared to be a self-inflicted intentional act.”

The 21-room motel, which has been operating in Black Mountain for nearly 70 years, sustained significant damage from the incident.