By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CABARRUS — The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office apprehended 16-year-old Masyn Drake Bradley on Friday. The Rockwell teen is accused of concealing the death of Concord resident Hunter Hess Howell, whose body was discovered Oct. 18 inside his vehicle.

Bradley had his first court appearance Friday morning and was being held in the Cabarrus County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.

He was charged with felony concealment of a death, misdemeanor obstruction of justice, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor simple marijuana possession.

A statement from the sheriff’s office said the circumstances of Howell’s death are still under investigation and that more charges and/or arrests are possible.

Howell, 19, of Rimer Road, was found after the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received notification of a vehicle containing a body near 1099 Lower Stone Church Road in Rockwell.

Later that night, Rowan deputies notified Cabarrus County that the death most likely occurred in Cabarrus County. Cabarrus County investigators confirmed the death did occur in their county, and the two agencies began a joint death investigation.

His grandmother said he left to run an errand and never returned home. Howell, who’d just graduated from high school, lived at home with his parents, Rikki and Eric. He worked at a Jimmy John’s restaurant along with his sister, Ashley.

His maternal grandmother Pamela Presson said her grandson wanted to follow in the footsteps of both his grandfathers, both of whom had served in the military.