Effort to collect more information in Asheville artist’s mysterious death gains momentum

Asheville artist Chris Ortega was found dead in his Coleman Avenue apartment on Oct. 26. Asheville police say Ortega’s death was a homicide, and that he died of asphyxiation. It’s a mysterious case, and his friends and family want help in solving the crime and they’re actively seeking it out.

Ortega worked at Allen’s Jewelry and Pawn, which is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to arrest, in addition to a $2,500 Crime Stoppers reward. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050.

Friends of Ortega have pushed for more media attention to this story. There’s a Chris Ortega memorial page on Facebook. WLOS recently ran a story on Ortega. Ortega’s friends are also posting fliers around Asheville.

Justice for Chris Ortega.

Asvhegas contributor Edwin Arnaudin profiled Ortega for this website last August. Read the Ashvegas Ortega Q&A here.