Mintz died of gunshot wound; robbery suspected

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what is now being referred to as “an apparent homicide” at the Saluda Mountain Lodge over the weekend.

Vanessa Yvonne Mintz, 53, of Hendersonville, was found by a family member,  Saturday morning, Feb. 19 shortly after 9 a.m.

“Victim died of an apparent gunshot and was transported to Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, N.C. for an autopsy,” said a press release issued yesterday from Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill. “Investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation are following up on available information locally and following up on lead with agencies out of state.”

Hill says robbery is considered a possible motive at this time.

Mintz’ family owns the Saluda Mountain Lodge, located off Holbert’s Cove Road. The family has been renovating the lodge recently.

Mintz was a realtor in Hendersonville with Remax and was very active in the Hendersonville community. Her parents, Carl and Sylvia Mintz live in Saluda.

Mintz attended First Baptist Church in Hendersonville and served on the Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and Henderson County Dispute Settlement Center. She was also active on committees for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, a member of the Hendersonville Elks Lodge and Rotary.

“I have a large and wonderful group of family and friends,” Mintz said on her website, www.vanessamintz.com. “Many of whom I have met through my businesses and in real estate, and all of whom I truly appreciate it.”

Mintz is survived by her parents, husband, two daughters and two grandsons. No arrangements had been made as of press time yesterday.

The last murder to occur in Polk County was in 2006 when the body of Jay Clark, V was found buried beside Columbus home.  There has not been a murder in the small town of Saluda in many years.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information that may assist in the investigation of Mintz’ murder to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 828-894-3001.