ABC6 EXCLUSIVE: Family of Providence man found brutally stabbed in North Carolina during Brian Laundrie manhunt speaks for the first time

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- During the nationwide manhunts for Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie, search crews found nine bodies.

Josue Calderon of Providence was one of them. In October, Calderon, was discovered brutally stabbed in an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.

A month later, Jailine Ortiz and Maria D Cruz, the mother of Josue’s children and Josue’s mother spoke exclusively with ABC6’s Alexa Serowik, ready to share their story for the first time.

Josue was a beloved father, son and friend who grew up in Providence and attended Mount Pleasant High School.

Josue was last seen by family and friends in Providence on October 5th. Four days later and 800 miles away, a body was found. At first, when news broke of a body discovered along the Appalachian Trail, many believed it could be Brian Laundrie. Investigators said it turned out to be Josue Calderon. They said he had been stabbed to death. On October 14th, Josue’s identity was publicly released and media attention went back to coverage of the Laundrie investigation.

Josue’s family back in Rhode Island was left heartbroken and with many unanswered questions. Josue’s family told ABC6 News that they have “no ties to North Carolina,” and have “no idea why or how Josue could have ended up there.”  The family says he did not have a car at the time of his disappearance.

Josue’s death is being investigated as a homicide and remains active and ongoing. No suspects have been named or arrested.

If community members have information that could help investigators, they can contact the NPS Investigative Services tip line by phone at (888) 653-0009 or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov.