Remains of North Carolina mom missing since 2023 found by dive team: deputies

WARRENTON, N.C. (WNCN) — Remains of a North Carolina woman missing since November 2023 were found by dive teams this week, authorities said Saturday night.

Dana Leigh Mustian, 33, never showed up at her daughter’s 6th birthday party during the first weekend of December 2023, family and officials said. Mustian was last seen at her in Warrenton, about 10 miles south of the North Carolina-Virginia border, on Nov. 30, 2023.

She had been dropped off at home by her father, according to her family. Mustian told him she loved him and would see him the next day. However, that wasn’t the case.

A missing persons report was filed on Dec. 4, 2023, followed by several searches on land and water stretching into 2024.

The latest search on Thursday brought the family sad news, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office said.

The Youngsville Rescue Dive Team found "possible human remains," according to a Warren County Sheriff’s Office news release Saturday night.

The remains were later identified as Mustain's, deputies said. No additional information was released.

"Her disappearance and death is continuing to be investigated," a statement Saturday night said.