Authorities recovered the body of 21-year-old Kevon Ricks on Sunday. Ricks worked at a North Carolina distribution center for the home-shopping television network QVC, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Ricks’ body was found after QVC's Rocky Mount, North Carolina, location caught fire on Saturday, destroying most of the building, Kitch News reports.

According to the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Ricks' remains were found on Dec. 19.

"At approximately 11:30 am, Fire Search and Recover members located [Ricks] on the outbound side of the loading dock of QVC," they wrote. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Ricks as well as all team members affected by this tragedy."


He had been working at the facility for only three weeks and was one of over 300 employees working at the center that day. Ricks’ aunt, Stephanie Randolph, said that after her nephew reported to work, he was never heard from again, CBS 17 reports.

Randolph went to the facility after reading Ricks’ mother's post on Facebook concerning his whereabouts. She was denied entry by authorities but was later informed by a state trooper that one man was reported missing. Ricks' family learned of his death the following day.

“I’m more angry than anything,” Randolph said in an interview with CBS 17. 

"Only thing we're worried about is making sure his son is well taken care of," Randolph said, according to WRAL News. "Making sure his mom gets the proper help that she needs to deal with this and making sure all the family is good."

Eric Evans, Edgecombe County manager, said the “fire had not actually touched that section of the building,” where Ricks' body was found, according to The Charlotte Observer.

“An autopsy has not been done, but they are assuming it may have been through smoke inhalation," he added.

QVC took to Twitter to release a statement on the incident.

"Everyone at QVC is heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of life in the fire at our Rocky Mount facility," the statement read. "Thanks to the first responders–and to all of you for your outpouring of concern."

Randolph advised people to be responsible for their own safety conditions while at work. 

“When it comes to the job, think about your safety," she said during an interview with CBS 17. "Always put yourself first.”


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