unsolved murders in west virginia

He walks with a significant limp that favors his left leg. If you happen to know anything, please call the Dawson County Sheriff Department at (406) 377-5291. He had embarked on his Appalachian journey as a path to self-discovery and finding himself as well as visiting the Civil War battlefields. Nothing prepared her for what she found inside. On Feb. 3, 1972, Bryce Durham, 51, his wife Virginia, 44, and their son Bobby, 18, were found murdered in their home during a snowstorm. Here are six of the most vexing murder mysteries of all time: 1. He was last seen walking up to an apartment building on Rhea Terrace, but has not been seen or heard from since. Hamm was last seen at his cousins home in Dunlow in the early morning of March 4, 2015. He has a tattoo of lips on the right side of his neck, a skull on his right forearm and the initials CCM and JLC on one finger. SJM: The book starts out with the disappearance itself and all of the Morgantown police and the West Virginia State Police involvement with that up until when the girls are found, and then it focuses on the trials, one and two, with Eugene Clawson, and we talk about the possibilities of yay or nay in that. More information about him can be found here, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, 3 reasons you shouldnt wait to file taxes this year, Whats the newest city in the US? She was returning books at the library and was seen near 36th Street and Emerson Avenue. An interesting angle presented during the grand jury hearing was. Edmunds has been diagnosed with dementia. June 1974. Sgt. Someone may know something that triggers another recollection or helps investigators connect the dots and the evidence to lead them to the persons responsible, Poiani said. We skipped school. WELLSBURG Joseph Barki is carrying a full plate of murder cases into his third year as Brooke County prosecutor. GF: He also said that he thought he would be let loose if he was not convicted in Morgantown. He was last seen around Eccles at approximately 1 a.m. the next morning. But then the anniversary comes and the sadness returns for herself and parents, who also live to see the killers brought to justice. Shannon then took possession of the shotgun and began beating him in the head with the butt end. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name. You will find information on many of the missing persons cases being investigated by the Maine State Police in this area of our website. GF: Yeah, there were 30-35 mistakes in the articles, and Clawson just repeated those mistakes, and they were all completely wrong. From Hell portrays Abberline as an opium addict who often relies on psychic visions to solve cases. A warrant for kidnapping was issued for Susan on Nov. 13, 2000. Hargreaves is a former professional rugby player who had moved to West Virginia. Q: So there was little done about safety with the hitchhiking and everything like that? Local resident Jacob Beard was convicted of the murder in 1993, but he was later acquitted of all charges in a second trial in 2000. The FBI is seeking information in the 1996 deaths of Julianne . Barki, who took over as the countys chief law enforcement officer in January 2012 after serving for 11 years as an assistant prosecutor, said Brooke County is experiencing an unprecedented string of homicides-including five, possibly six, that have yet to come to trial. as well as "unsolved murders" along the Blue Ridge Parkway and a 1996 killing of two women . Police identified a person of interest in the case, but no charges have been filed to date. Cook was last seen around 3 a.m. Jan. 14, 1993 near Pedros Bar outside of Bluefield. By Deirdre M. Enright. SJM: Theres also the detective magazines if anyone wants to read those. Shaffer was last seen leaving St. Francis Hospital in Charleston. For anyone who has listened to the podcast, there are some extra suspects that we didnt have enough time to talk about on the podcast. And there was, of course, the prosecutor in Morgantown, so Clawson was convicted, but Richard was still sure that he didnt do it. Thirty detectives worked the case full time. State Police say this gives them hope for other unsolved cases in the area. What got you interested in this case? Investigators have not described how she died. PLEASE SHARE:At approx. Which is why Poiani keeps the story in the public eye every year around this time. Les Skinner said efforts to locate Castillo have been unsuccessful as her mother has reported her missing to authorities in Burlington, Iowa, where she had been living. More . Q: Anything else that you would like to add? John Brennan Crutchley is the person that I think is likely to have done it. Larry McClure admitted to First Degree Murder in the death of John McGuire. Authorities received tips about sightings of Steptoe in Mercer and McDowell counties, but the information did not lead to him. In Washington County, the sheriffs department has two cold case officers, Bruce Shuck and Jeff Seevers, but retired officers cant be similarly deputized in West Virginia, Stephens said. Barki said he is unable to comment on another homicide being investigated by Brooke County authorities. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Copyright 2023 Kanawha County Sheriff's Office. The Kanawha County Sheriffs Office works unsolved missing person and homicide cases to conclusion. Brady was last seen boarding a Trailways bus in Logan and then in Bluefield, Virginia. The cover of the new book "Murder on Staunton Road" by Charlie Ryan and Mitch Evans. Willey was last seen leaving his home in the 5200 block of Highland Ridge Road on foot, according to the property owner. There was reportedly a severe flood at the time Shinn was last seen. And, we were pretty convinced that he didnt have anything to do with it. 2023 Virginia Cold Case Database. Ward had been in McDowell County for only a matter of weeks before being shot. Adkins has not been seen since and no trace of him has been found. He enjoyed farming, gardening, and front porch s. A Brooke County grand jury indicted Zuccarro in September 2013, but the case has been delayed because of psychological evaluations and discovery issues between the prosecutor and defense attorneys. Tamperproof seals exist because of a 1982 spree, in which someone slipped cyanide into stores' Tylenol bottles, killing seven. He never arrived at his sisters home in South Carolina. Parsons went missing from a barge in the Ohio River. There was a lot going on that never made the news, never was public. She told investigators she grabbed a cordless drill and began swinging it toward his face. GF: I shadowed a state trooper, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hall, back in 2006 to 2009 or 2010, and he was investigating the case. The 208-page book is filled with one sensational crime after another such as the West Virginia University coed murder, the disappearance of the Sodder children in a Christmas Eve fire in 1945, the slaying of Montgomery city clerk Cathy Carroll, the Rand-Bailey mystery, the fatal shooting of a popular Beckley police officer. We have many plans and enthusiasm to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really need your help for this. His parents heard from him in January of 2012, but no contact has been made since. She was found behind the store's counter. She will be tried as an adult for allegedly beating her father, Donald Bartz, 56, to death with the butt of a shotgun. PARKERSBURG This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the unsolved murder of Judith Lynn Petty. Foreman of the West Virginia State Police detachment near Princeton responded to a call at the Little General Store on Oakvale Road. He has a tattoo of an eight ball on his left leg. Her vehicle was found Feb. 25, 2022 near the TNT area of Mason County with her belongings inside. Her vehicle was later found abandoned in the vicinity of Wyoming Street and Beuhring Avenue in Charleston. Pettys family reported her missing a few days earlier on Feb. 6. Johnny Depp plays Frederick Abberline, the real-life investigator of the Ripper murders. By Alexis Mathews. No bit of information is too small or insignificant, she said. So, it all came together at almost the exact same time, and its been pretty serendipitous. Authorities say Cochran may have changed her hair color. SJM: Personally, I find the letters that came from Cumberland, Maryland that were signed with a triangleI find that really fascinating. The FBI should use DNA, not posters, to solve a cold-case murder. The vehicle was found at a Loves Truck Stop in Conneaut, Ohio on Feb. 8, 2015, where employees said it had been for about three or four days. The exact date of her disappearance is unknown. Some evidence was removed from it and tested, but the tests were inconclusive, First Sgt. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Geoffrey and S. James McLaughlin encourage folks to take a look at jewelry found in possession of John Brennan Crutchley to see if they look familiar. She had been living in Friendly, but also had ties to Weirton and Stubenville, Ohio. He said the murder cases are putting a strain on his office. Texas Rangers Top 12 Cold Case Investigations. Investigators said Kinker allegedly admitted to shaking the child in his bassinet because he was crying, saying it caused his head to strike the wall. Search parties continue to look for any sign of Grace in that area. PARKERSBURG This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the unsolved murder of Judith Lynn Petty. And, thats on the podcast, and we have an extensive interview in the book. 24. She does not have a car, but could have left on foot or been picked up by someone. His truck was found abandoned near Belle. The hearing was held on Wednesday, July 8. Her car was in the driveway of her then-boyfriend, Nark Cook, who disappeared five months later. Poiani stays in regular contact with the Wood County Sheriffs Department, the agency which investigated the murder. Q: What about you, Sarah? Its a case Sheriff Steve Stephens hopes to someday solve. Q: Did WVU make any changes to campus as a result of this case? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Can you bring your vape pen or e-cigarette on a plane? Although retired, Lee worked part time for the state when the need arose. Natasha Carter, also known as Alex was allegedly taken by her mother Susan Gail Carter, who may also be using the alias Susan Gail Carter Webb, during a custody dispute with Alexs father. Authorities believe the three cases are connected. A suspect vehicle was later found. CASE DETAILS. Prosecutors maintained Carroll had arranged for the murder of Cathy Faye Carroll, his estranged wife, on April 22, 1986 at her home in Montgomery Heights. According to the report, Shannon Bartz ran to a corner, picked up a shotgun and began trying to hit her father with the butt end of the gun. She also learned there is no record of him in the Department of Immigration and that he had used an alias to marry her. Burns was last seen Nov. 11, 2002 at the Huntington Mall in Barboursville. GF: And a lot more details than we could talk about on the podcast about all the suspects. In some of these cases, authorities reach out to the public for help bringing answers to the loved ones of those who are missing. It all stemmed from a crime at an unassuming home on Merrick Lane in Pocahontas on the fateful night of April 16, 1989. Vance was last seen in the 1000 block of Washington Avenue around 5 p.m. March 27, 2010. She has multiple piercings as well as a tattoo of a sun on her right shoulder and a tattoo of a scorpion on her lower back. So, I started to do some research into it, and I found out theres a whole lot to the story that I had never even been told. You need to find them quickly. And I think, what, four letters in total? He was not located when authorities arrived at his home around 2:30 a.m. that morning after his car was found on a bridge. By J. JoAnn Plymale. SJM: Were very close to a stream and near the woods right now. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March, Ceremony held for new Jackson Co. solar titanium. She had not had her medication that day, authorities say. Lambert disappeared from her home on her sons 1st birthday. They were sent on to the governor, and if they hadnt been sent on, then we may have never found their bodies. Robert Davis and his wife Una Mae, both 32 years old, lived there with Una. Then, when I was in high school, I attended Clawsons first trial in 76 with my girlfriend. In 2015, there were only 36 murders and non-negligent manslaughters in the entire state. Contact your local law enforcement agency to file a missing persons report. We want justice, she was not only a great mother and sister she was the glue that held the family together, Key said. He would come to Morgantown. Photo courtesy: Putnam County Sheriffs Office. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. SJM: He was learning disabled, so in his mind, he had this plan to be proven that it wasnt him that killed Mared and Karen so he would be moved to another facility that was closer to where his mother lived, and it just wasnt really grounded in reality. Motel Cottage At Oceanfront. He has a tattoo that reads Dalton on his right arm. Follow @KanawhaSheriff I mean, the PRT did come into existence, but we cant find any evidence that theres any correlation between the two. No one has seen her since. I think its fair to say we both dont think that he did it. In 2000 the Miyazawa family was murdered in their Tokyo home.The killer stayed in the house for hours after their deaths.He treated his wounds,ate food from the fridge, took a nap,and even used the family's PC.Police found 12,545 pieces of evidence including the killer's DNA.He has never been found. When police found the pair, they were decapitated, and their murderer has never been found. SJM: [To Geoff] But what do you think is the most interesting part of the case? Judy should never have died this way.. Her glasses and shoes were found on the lawn of her apartment two days later. Jack the Ripper terrorized London. Unsolved Cases - Kanawha County Sheriff's Office Unsolved Cases The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office works unsolved missing person and homicide cases to conclusion. West Virginia authors Geoffrey Fuller and S. James McLaughlin recently released a book with what they found during their decades-long investigation. Lynn Seethaler & Janice Pietropola. Multiple searches have been conducted for Angel Overstreet. Currys sister who lived across the street realized he was no longer there, but assumed he was staying with another friend, so authorities say it was some time later when they realized he was missing. She has not been seen since. The flyer shared by the sheriffs office describes the first person of interest is described as a white male who would have been in his mid-20s and weighed 230-260 pounds at the time with a high, receding hairline and shoulder-length, stringy light brown hair and long sideburns. This article was originally published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting . Stephens cited an advantage departments in Ohio have over departments in West Virginia. In our 3 part series, we will go back in time to resurrect 9 cold-case unsolved murders in the Mountain State. Police continue to seek leads in regions unsolved homicides, Samantha Perry named CNHI Columnist of the Yea, Those Who Served War Museum reopens Monday, Red Devils fight back to snatch sectional crown, Richlands girls basketball coach arrested for assault following tournament incident, Local man faces 17 to 45 years in prison after sentencing on sexual assault and child porn, Virginia man facing second-degree murder after Maple Acres Road shooting, Tom Rife named All-SWD Girls Basketball Coach of the Year, Bramwell Corner Shop appearing on America's Best Restaurants, Coach behaving badly: Richlands players paid consequences for Rifes actions, Granada, Raleigh St. Cinemas, will fill void in AMC theaters closing, Officials to investigate incident between Richlands girls coach and spectator, Richlands 2D tournament incident receives national coverage, Mercer County Sheriff's Departmet warns public about new scam. SJM: I guess he thought theyd shorten his sentence in New Jersey. A live version of this list that will be updated as people are found or go missing can be found here. On December 8, 1963, a group of amateur criminals hoping to strike it rich engineered one of the most infamous kidnappings in American history. DeMarino left his mothers home in Spencer where he had been staying at approximately 10:30 p.m. Jan. 30, 2019 and drove her 2015 silver Ford Escape to Mikes Bar and Grill in Parkersburg. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Over 50 years ago, two freshmen coeds at West Virginia University, Mared and Karen, went missing after attempting to hitchhike back to their dorm from High Street. June 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Another murder case is unfolding in the Dec. 18 bow and arrow killing of a pipeline inspector in Wellsburg. The second person of interest is described as a white male who would have been in his mid-20s standing approximately 59-511 with short, wavy brown hair and a stocky build, according to the flyer. SJM: Its such a weird story because it wasnt planned at all, but my husband, when he was my fiance, he was going to Spain for two weeks. His vehicle was found in the head of Marrowbone Creek several days after he went missing. A West Virginia Murder Who killed Nell Rand and E. R. Bailey? Shawn Steptoe, 14, was reported missing May 17, 2004 by his father, Anthony Steptoe. Police are trying to locate 35-year-old Jammie Castillo, who is described as a girlfriend to the victim, Wesley Plants, 51, of Sanders Drive. So, thats kind of how the book progresses. She allegedly told investigators that her father said, stop, youre killing me loudly as he dug his fingernails into her arms. Authorities say Michael may have traveled to North Carolina. Windley was last seen in Kanawha City behind the Lowes along the Kanawha River. Doctors at Roanoke, Va., and a medical examiners findings determined Lees injuries were no accident. Flake wasnt known to leave her house on the old No. But, someone had written these letters saying that they wanted to help them find the bodies, and here was a map. Local police departments and county sheriffs departments also continue to seek new leads in their cold case investigations. Similarly, Montana has one of the lowest rates of unsolved murders as well. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. According to the flyer, Sharp had gunshot wounds on her head and the base of her neck when she was found. Anyone with information about the Petty case is encouraged to call the department, Stephens said. The Tylenol Murders. In July of 1990, at 14 years of age, Fame Cooper went missing. She has a strawberry birthmark on the back of her neck. Sistrunk was last seen walking toward her home from Windmill Park in Fairmont. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Some examples of unsolved child murders you can learn about in our fully visualized case files include the 1998 kidnapping and murder of Brittany Locklear, the 1997 murder of Georgia Lee Moses, the 2017 double-murder of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, and the 1960 murder of Nancy Eagleson. SJM: I do want to mention that we listed the pictures that we got from Brevard County of some necklaces and bracelets that had been taken from John Brennan Crutchleys house in 1985, and a lot of his victims had never been identified, so if people want to take a look at those pictures, and maybe find out if [you know who these belong to], that would be great. Days later, on March 12, 2005, two young boys walking down East Street kicked that object, but did not realize what it was until it rolled down the incline. We cant ignore them and we take them all seriously.. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. January 1975. She has not been heard from since. The case of a young Bluefield teenager still remains unsolved after the teen was reported missing in 2004. Davis was last seen driving a blue Pontiac Bonneville. document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Dennis was last known to be at his home Dec. 15, 2013, but has not been heard from since. High 47F. Sometimes, but I think as Sarah pointed out, there would be an abduction or some kind of event and it would get splashy news, and then when it actually got resolved, it was printed in a small story in the back of the newspaper, so people werent aware that there was a constant search for bad people doing bad things. Status of Case: Unsolved Scott La Rock was fatally gunned down in 1987. It is just a matter of timing.. Seifs mother went to the Weirton Steel Mill where his father worked to learn he had not worked there under that name. Arnold was reported missing by his ex-girlfriends family. Authorities say while at the bar, he went to the restroom but hasnt been seen or heard from since. Thats one of the reasons that Richard said, I dont think he did it. His confession was just like this magazine article. West Virginia police were contacted by law enforcement officials in Camden, New Jersey after inmate Eugene Paul Clawson expressed that he was prepared to confess to a crime. He was last seen stringing lights on the barge, but was not accounted for when the barge reached its destination eight miles from the point he was last seen. She has multiple piercings on each ear. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, 1 person injured in 2-vehicle crash in Kanawha County,, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment, Trapped Californians rescued from snow, helped by, Heavy snow slams Northeast; storm cleanup begins, Scout Motors picks South Carolina for new $2B EV, Paris Fashion Week spans minimalism and Renaissance, High Winds Cause Widespread Power Outages in WV,, Many customers without power in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky under state of emergency for severe storms, Wind, tornado and flood risks Friday in WV, KY and, Active Weather to End the Week in West Virginia,, Oakland As calling Vegas home, only this weekend, Louisville beats No. Authorities say Smith was last known to be living on the streets in Charleston and had not been seen around the usual places he stays. A West Ashley High School football player, Mikell McKelvey . They interviewed more than 100 people. Red retired as a machinist. Baker also goes by the names of Cheyenne Baker and Tiffany Cole.. There is no real explanation. It was in reports and things. Initially, state troopers worked to discover whether Lee had an accident on the job or if he was the victim of a crime. It was determined she died from an apparent gunshot . She then laid her gun down, grabbed the gun her father had, went into the hallway and threw it down. The case started at 7 a.m. on Jan 29, 1989, when Trooper K.J. They would give him Sodium Pentothal, and theyd prove that he didnt do it. There wasnt much information online except what [Geoff] was posting, and that was one of the reasons that I wanted to get a hold of him. A visitor to McDowell County was shot and killed July 28, 2007. So, when we found this Crutchley fellow and discovered that he had a whole stash of necklaces, we thought there might beso, we were in communication with the lead investigator down there. The area received 8-12 inches of snow the next day. Her father told CPS workers he had given her back to them two weeks prior, but there is no record of the exchange. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March, Ceremony held for new Jackson Co. solar titanium. It is believed Spangler may have been missing for three to four weeks before he was reported missing. And, I dont know, I just got this idea in my head. According to authorities, she has a pegasus tattoo on her inner ankle with three or four stars above it and a butterfly on her chest which has scarring over it from a burn. West Virginia State Police say Adkins wife said he and at least three other men had gone to the sealed Upper Big Branch Mine to steal copper. He has a tattoo that reads ANS on his shoulder, a tattoo of the chemical structure of marijuana on his inner left arm and a tattoo of the Legend of Zelda Triforce symbol on his inner right arm. Gibbons has a a burn scar on his stomach and a scar from a skin graft on his legs and hips. It's been five years since the shooting death of Vienna resident Cindy Ball and many wonder why her case remains unsolved. We were kind of amazed that he got convicted because there was no evidence to speak of except his confession. University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were stabbed to death in their sleep on Nov. 13, 2022 between 3 and 4 a.m. in a . It depends, WV bill requires high schoolers take personal finance, 2 Grafton women charged with 128 counts of animal, IRS on alert after scam tells people to commit tax, Heritage Christians Dr. Seuss week comes to a close, Business at Breakfast series begins in Harrison County, Former NBA star visits kids at WVU Medicine Childrens, Celebrate National Mulled Wine Day with this recipe, People in Md., W.Va. find mysterious dust on cars,, Matthews: Senior day has more meaning at WVU, Study ranks West Virginia last in education, UPDATE: Boyfriend of Weston woman charged with neglect, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Jefferies was last seen by his mother on Aug. 17, 2018, three days before his disappearance.