BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection to human remains that were found at a Hildebran residence.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist in a missing person investigation with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Anthony Jaworsky had been reported missing on July 21, 2021, after being last seen in Burke County.
The North State Bureau of Investigation joined the other departments to execute a search warrant for the residence at on Curley’s Fish Camp Road in Hildebran. Human remains were discovered at the location.
Warrants were obtained charging Mark Ortiz, 27, with felony concealment of death that was presented to a Catawba County Grand Jury in February 2024.
After a lengthy investigation, Ortiz was located in Naples, Florida on June 18, 2026. Ortiz was extradited to North Carolina and served with his outstanding warrants.
Mark Ortiz has been charged with felony concealment of death in Burke County, felony obstruction of justice and felony indictment for obstruction of justice in Catawba County.
Ortiz is currently in custody under secured bonds totaling $751,000.
