Vincent “Vinny” North was an intelligent and creative young man with a passion for mechanics and art. Born on March 13, 1990, the 17-year-old male was remembered by his mother, NormaJean LaFalce, as fiercely independent from a very young age. “He didn’t want you picking out his clothes or tying his shoes. He had a lot of smarts about him,” she recalled. Vinny grew up in his birthplace of Asheville, North Carolina, and like many boys, he enjoyed Hot Wheels, drawing, and playing outside. His curiosity extended to tinkering with electronics, and he developed a skill for taking things apart and reassembling them just to understand how they worked.
This mechanical aptitude was something Vinny hoped to turn into a career. He dreamed of opening his own repair shop for lawnmowers and weed eaters and was actively working toward his GED to make that dream a reality.
He and his mother, who raised him as a single parent for most of his life, also shared a love for art, particularly macramé. They often talked about one day opening a craft store together to sell their creations. Vinny also loved the outdoors, collecting knives, and playing with remote-controlled cars and trucks. His mother named him after Vincent Keller, a character from the 1980s television show "Beauty and the Beast," which was her favorite. A memory she held dear was when her son would occasionally make breakfast for her.
Vinny’s journey was not without its challenges. He was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder, which made a traditional school environment difficult for him. He spent time in various group homes and mental health facilities, but he remained close with his mother, calling her daily to plan visits and share details of his day. Despite financial struggles that caused them to move frequently, their bond was a constant in his life. His mother still keeps his drawings, some clothing, and his knife collection in a curio cabinet as treasured mementos.
On the evening of October 26, 2007, Vinny was riding his bicycle on Old County Home Road, near the intersection of Eliada Home Road in Asheville, when he was struck from behind by a vehicle. The driver did not stop and fled the scene, leaving the teenager to die from his injuries. The news was delivered to his mother by state troopers who knocked on her door while she was sleeping. “I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it,” she said of the moment her world was shattered.
The investigation into Vinny’s fatal hit-and-run was handled by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. However, in the years since his death, the case has grown cold. According to his mother, the investigation has been marked by a lack of progress and conflicting information. She has pointed to discrepancies regarding where her son was heading, which direction he was facing, and evidence from the scene. She also noted that while an official report mentioned a witness, troopers later told her there were none.
As of October 2026, the case of who killed Vincent North remains unsolved. His mother is left with her memories and the keepsakes that remind her of the creative, smart, and independent son whose potential was tragically cut short. There is no publicly available information regarding specific suspects or a description of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. The family continues to hope that someone will come forward with the information needed to bring them answers and justice for Vinny.
