Beth Dierauf was a senior assistant district attorney in Henderson County, North Carolina, who passed away on November 12, 2023, at the age of 56. She was a respected and experienced prosecutor who handled many high-profile cases involving murder, rape, child abuse, and domestic violence. She was also a devoted mother of two children, who described her as “the best mom in the world”.
Who was Beth Dierauf?
Beth Dierauf was born on April 15, 1967, in Asheville, North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in political science and then earned her law degree from Campbell University School of Law. She began her career as a prosecutor in 1992, working in Buncombe County for six years before moving to Henderson County in 1998. She served as a senior assistant district attorney for 25 years, working under four different district attorneys. She was known for her professionalism, integrity, compassion, and dedication to justice. She was also a mentor and a friend to many of her colleagues and co-workers.
How did Beth Dierauf die?
Beth Dierauf died on November 12, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 and underwent several treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. She continued to work as a prosecutor until October 2023, when her health deteriorated and she was hospitalized. She passed away peacefully at the Mission Hospital in Asheville, surrounded by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, John Dierauf, and her two children, Emily and Ethan.
What did Beth Dierauf accomplish?
Beth Dierauf accomplished many things in her career as a prosecutor. She handled some of the most challenging and complex cases in Henderson County, such as the murder of 5-year-old Lila Pickering by her mother, the drunk driving crash that killed Joanie Gardner, and the shooting death of 15-year-old Justin Smith. She was also involved in several initiatives to improve the criminal justice system, such as the Domestic Violence Task Force, the Child Fatality Review Team, and the Sexual Assault Response Team. She received several awards and recognitions for her work, such as the Outstanding Prosecutor Award from the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys in 2018 and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Roy Cooper in 2023.
Why was Beth Dierauf important?
Beth Dierauf was important because she made a positive difference in the lives of many people. She was a fierce advocate for the victims of crime, especially the most vulnerable ones, such as children, women, and the elderly. She was a voice for justice, fairness, and accountability. She was a role model for other prosecutors, lawyers, and law students. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was a person of faith, courage, and grace. She was a woman of honor, dignity, and legacy.