Scattered thunderstorms in the morning. Cloudy skies late. High near 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms, some locally strong to perhaps severe. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Kanawha County Sheriff Joe Crawford (center) is surrounded by other officers at the intersection of Walnut Gap Road and Dry Branch Drive, just outside Charleston, following the discovery of human remains along Walnut Gap Road on April 15, 2025. The body was later identified as Lenard Pierre Jackson, 38, of Dundee, Mich.
Kanawha County Sheriff Joe Crawford (center) is surrounded by other officers at the intersection of Walnut Gap Road and Dry Branch Drive, just outside Charleston, following the discovery of human remains along Walnut Gap Road on April 15, 2025. The body was later identified as Lenard Pierre Jackson, 38, of Dundee, Mich.
Human remains were found Tuesday outside Charleston on Walnut Gap Road, just west of Campbells Creek, near the Eagle View Apartments.
The circumstances surrounding the death have been described as “suspicious,†according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
Tuesday afternoon, Metro 911 received a call requesting a welfare check for what appeared to be a body over a hillside, according to a Tuesday news release from the sheriff’s office. Deputies responded to the scene and located what appeared to be a man, according to an updated release sent Wednesday.
“Sergeant B.S. Middleton, a detective with KCSO, says that the remains appear to be consistent with male anatomy,†the Wednesday release stated. “However, due to the significant level of decomposition, it is currently difficult to determine how long the individual has been deceased.â€
Crime scene investigators closed both directions of Walnut Gap Road between Dry Branch Road and Hope Lane and spent several hours processing the scene and removing the body.
The circumstances of the death are “suspicious in nature and inconsistent with natural causes,†according to the release. The remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Charleston, where a full autopsy will be performed.
The sheriff’s office said it hopes the examination will provide investigators with further information regarding the man’s identity and cause of death. Investigators are reviewing missing-person reports and coordinating with surrounding police agencies to examine unsolved cases that might be connected to this incident.
“At this time,†the Wednesday news release stated, “we continue to believe this is an isolated case with no ongoing threat to the public.â€
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