Ryan Calloway, 29, was a software engineer at Charlotte’s Meridian Systems. Claire Hartwell-Calloway, 27, was a third-grade teacher near Raleigh. They had married three weeks ago in a large ceremony. Both families were solid, well-regarded, and there was no reason to suspect any foul play.
Search and rescue worked for nine days. Divers went into the plunge pool twice; current and visibility defeated them both times. Tracking dogs followed the scent to the water’s edge and stopped. Four miles of riverbank yielded no clothing, personal effects, or remains. The mountains kept whatever the river had taken.