Funeral held for Mariah Woods as authorities positively ID body

Remains found Saturday in Pender County have been positively identified as 3-year-old Mariah Kay Woods, according to the Onslow County Sheriff's Office.
Posted 12/7/2017, 3:33:07 AM Updated 9/23/2025, 7:52:29 PM

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES AND

VIOLATION OF PROBATION.

>>> AFTER WE WERE WAITING TO

HAPPEN!

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO

MARIAH WOODS, A PUBLIC

VISITATION WAS HELD FOR THE

LITTLE GIRL.>> Reporter:

DEBORAH, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT

ANOTHER EMOTIONAL DAY.

ON THE SAME DAY THE MEDICAL

EXAMINER OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

MARIAH'S DEATH THE COMMUNITY

GATHERS TO SUPPORT HER FAMILY.

THE COMMUNITY THAT SEARCHED SO

LONG FOR MARIAH WOODS IS SAYING

THEIR GOODBYES.

THIS IS A FRIEND OF THE 3-YEAR-

OLDS GRANDMOTHER -- >> SHE AND

I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A LONG

TIME.

>> Reporter: THE PAIN IS

PERSONAL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> I AM A GRANDMA TO, I CAN'T

IMAGINE WHAT SHE IS GOING

THROUGH.

>> Reporter: A REPORT FROM THE

MEDICAL EXAMINER CONFIRMED THAT

A SMALL BODY WAS MARIAH.

THROUGH THE COMMUNITIES SORROW

THERE HAVE BEEN CRIES FOR

JUSTICE FOR THE LITTLE GIRL.

THE MOTHER'S LIVE IN BOYFRIEND

WAS CHARGED WITH MOVING THE

BODY AND CONCEALING THE DEATH

BUT NOT CHARGED WITH CAUSING

THE DEATH.

THIS GOODBYE IS NOT THE END OF

THE STORY.

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RULED OUT

MORE CHARGES.>> A MEMORIAL

SERVICE FOR MARIAH'S PLAN FOR

SUNDAY.

© WRAL