The Kanawha Bureau of Investigation is currently charging, Aaron B. Chapman (21 of Pinch), with 2 counts of Night Time Burglary, 1 count of 1^st Degree Robbery and 1 count of Attempted 1^st Degree Robbery. These charges stem from the home invasion style robberies that occurred at 665 Mace St. and at 440 Church Road in the early morning hours of February 28^th, 2013.

The Church Road incident left 74 year old, Ramona Jones, severely injured and she remains hospitalized at this time.

The KBI expects to have Chapman in Kanawha County Magistrate Court for arraignment at approximately 3:15 this afternoon.

Capt. B.C. Robbins

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

Field Operations Commander

304-357-0701/ 304-545-6294

Kanawha County Deputies responded to a crash on Rt. 119 south of Sand Plant Road, near the Kanawha and Lincoln County line, shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, 03-26-13.

A 1997 Western Star Tractor, hauling a load of lumber, was found to have been traveling south bound on U.S. Rt. 119. Investigators believe the tractor-trailer went out of control and struck the concrete barrier on the Steven Wayne Smith Memorial Bridge. The truck then entered the unprotected median and crossed in to the north bound lanes of Rt. 119.

The tractor-trailer overturned during the transition in to the north bound lanes and struck 2003 Volkswagen Jetta that was traveling north bound on Rt. 119.

The truck driver has been identified as David McCarter (58 of Wellston, Ohio). Mr. McCarter was transported to CAMC-General. His condition is unknown.

The driver of the Volkswagen has been identified as Betty J. Sowards (38 of Sumerco, WV). Ms. Sowards was transported to CAMC-General. Her condition is unknown.

The passenger in the Volkswagen has been identified as Brittany N. Sowards (16 of Sumerco, WV). The 16 year old passenger was pronounced dead on the scene and the body has been transported to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Lt. R.P. Boone and Deputy T.A. Fouch. Deputy Fouch is a member of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, Accident Reconstruction Unit.

Capt. B.C. Robbins

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

Field Operations Commander

304-357-0701/ 304-545-6294

It had been reported in several media outlets that the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported armed robbery at 5243 Dalewood Drive in Cross Lanes.

At approximately 3 a.m. on 03-26-13, Deputy J.T. Snyder did respond to such a report at the Dalewood Drive address. However, during the course of his investigation, Deputy Snyder uncovered several inconsistencies in the story being reported by the individual claiming to be the victim in the case. When Deputy Snyder confronted the victim with the inconsistencies, the victim refused to cooperate further with law enforcement. The victim then went as far as to advise Deputy Snyder that he did not wish to pursue the matter any further.

Thus, this incident is no longer an active investigation.

Capt. B.C. Robbins

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

Field Operations Commander

304-357-0701/ 304-545-6294

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking information on the whereabouts of two missing adult males.  David Gandee and Shain Gandee were reported missing overnight.  They were last seen at Larry’s Bar in Sissonville, WV, around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, March 31, 2013.  The two said they were going four-wheeling in Shain’s Ford Bronco.  No one knows where they planned to ride, or the direction in which they left.

Neither is known to have contacted any family members since that time.  At this time no foul play is suspected.  Family members spent most of Sunday trying to locate or contact the two men before calling 911 to report them missing.  At the time of this release they have been missing for approximately 31 hours.

David Gandee is Shain Gandee’s uncle.  Both are from the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, but have taken vehicles off-road all over Sissonville, and throughout other parts of the County.

David Gandee is 48 years old, approximately 6’0”, 225 lbs.  He is a white male with green eyes and brown hair.

Shain Gandee is 21 years old, approximately 6’0”, 180 lbs.  He is a white male with brown eyes and brown hair.

They were last known to be in Shain’s vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco with oversized tires.  The bronco is red and white in color.  The West Virginia license plate number is 3UD308.

Attached are pictures of Shain Gandee and a Ford Bronco.  The Bronco pictured is NOT Shain’s vehicle, but is similar in appearance.  Both photos were supplied by family members.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David or Shain Gandee is asked to call 304-357-0169.  If you have seen either of them since early Sunday morning, had contact with them, or seen the vehicle since that time, please call the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

–

Cpl. B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328

Earlier this day after releasing information Shain Gandee was missing, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office received word of a disabled vehicle in a wooded area near Thaxton Hollow, Sissonville, Kanawha County WV.  Deputies and members of the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department used all terrain vehicles to access that vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco belonging to the Gandee family.  The vehicle was in a muddy area along a worn path.  Inside were the bodies of three people.

Shain Lelyn Gandee (21 years old) and David Dwight Gandee (48 years old) were deceased in the vehicle.  The third person has not been positively identified.  There was no sign of foul play.  The causes of death are still under investigation and will likely be determined following an autopsy by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Prior to locating the vehicle the West Virginia State Police Aviation Unit was prepared to take a helicopter over the area to assist in searching for the vehicle. 

–

Cpl. B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328

Update 2 (1740 hours):

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office can now release the names of all three deceased individuals inside the Ford Bronco recovered today in Sissonville:  Shain Gandee, David Gandee (both previously identified), and Donald Robert Myers (27 years of age), all from the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, WV. 

The vehicle and bodies were found by one of Shain Gandee’s friends who was searching the trails and ridges in the area for him and the others.  The vehicle sat unevenly, but upright, and was partially submerged in deep mud.  Mud was covering the lower part of the passenger side door of the vehicle, but the driver’s side of the vehicle was above the mud.  The muffler of the vehicle was completely below the surface of the mud. 

The Bronco was found next to a ridge-top trail.  That section of the trail itself was passable for four-wheel drive vehicles.  However, the Bronco was in a mud pit next to the trail.   That area is accessed by following the wooded trails for approximately one mile from Shain Gandee’s residence, near Thaxton Hollow in Sissonville.

Shain was seated in the driver’s seat of the Bronco.  The Bronco was removed from the mud pit by a bull-dozer.

Their bodies were removed from the vehicle and have been taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner.  Autopsies will be performed to determine the cause of death. 

Update 1 (previously released):

Earlier this day after releasing information Shain Gandee was missing, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office received word of a disabled vehicle in a wooded area near Thaxton Hollow, Sissonville, Kanawha County WV.  Deputies and members of the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department used all terrain vehicles to access that vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco belonging to the Gandee family.  The vehicle was in a muddy area along a worn path.  Inside were the bodies of three people.

Shain Lelyn Gandee (21 years old) and David Dwight Gandee (48 years old) were deceased in the vehicle.  The third person has not been positively identified.  There was no sign of foul play.  The causes of death are still under investigation and will likely be determined following an autopsy by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Prior to locating the vehicle the West Virginia State Police Aviation Unit was prepared to take a helicopter over the area to assist in searching for the vehicle. 

Initial Release (previously released):

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking information on the whereabouts of two missing adult males.  David Gandee and Shain Gandee were reported missing overnight.  They were last seen at Larry’s Bar in Sissonville, WV, around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, March 31, 2013.  The two said they were going four-wheeling in Shain’s Ford Bronco.  No one knows where they planned to ride, or the direction in which they left.

Neither is known to have contacted any family members since that time.  At this time no foul play is suspected.  Family members spent most of Sunday trying to locate or contact the two men before calling 911 to report them missing.  At the time of this release they have been missing for approximately 31 hours.

David Gandee is Shain Gandee’s uncle.  Both are from the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, but have taken vehicles off-road all over Sissonville, and throughout other parts of the County.

David Gandee is 48 years old, approximately 6’0”, 225 lbs.  He is a white male with green eyes and brown hair.

Shain Gandee is 21 years old, approximately 6’0”, 180 lbs.  He is a white male with brown eyes and brown hair.

They were last known to be in Shain’s vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco with oversized tires.  The bronco is red and white in color.  The West Virginia license plate number is 3UD308.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David or Shain Gandee is asked to call 304-357-0169.  If you have seen either of them since early Sunday morning, had contact with them, or seen the vehicle since that time, please call the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

–

Cpl. B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328

Update 3 (April 2, 2013):

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office can now report partial findings from the autopsies of Shain Lelyn Gandee, David Dwight Gandee, and Donald Robert Myers.  The manner of death is accidental and the cause was carbon monoxide poisoning for all three subjects.

Update 2 (previously released):

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office can now release the names of all three deceased individuals inside the Ford Bronco recovered today in Sissonville:  Shain Gandee, David Gandee (both previously identified), and Donald Robert Myers (27 years of age), all from the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, WV. 

The vehicle and bodies were found by one of Shain Gandee’s friends who was searching the trails and ridges in the area for him and the others.  The vehicle sat unevenly, but upright, and was partially submerged in deep mud.  Mud was covering the lower part of the passenger side door of the vehicle, but the driver’s side of the vehicle was above the mud.  The muffler of the vehicle was completely below the surface of the mud. 

The Bronco was found next to a ridge-top trail.  That section of the trail itself was passable for four-wheel drive vehicles.  However, the Bronco was in a mud pit next to the trail.   That area is accessed by following the wooded trails for approximately one mile from Shain Gandee’s residence, near Thaxton Hollow in Sissonville.

Shain was seated in the driver’s seat of the Bronco.  The Bronco was removed from the mud pit by a bull-dozer.

Their bodies were removed from the vehicle and have been taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner.  Autopsies will be performed to determine the cause of death. 

Update 1 (previously released):

Earlier this day after releasing information Shain Gandee was missing, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office received word of a disabled vehicle in a wooded area near Thaxton Hollow, Sissonville, Kanawha County WV.  Deputies and members of the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department used all terrain vehicles to access that vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco belonging to the Gandee family.  The vehicle was in a muddy area along a worn path.  Inside were the bodies of three people.

Shain Lelyn Gandee (21 years old) and David Dwight Gandee (48 years old) were deceased in the vehicle.  The third person has not been positively identified.  There was no sign of foul play.  The causes of death are still under investigation and will likely be determined following an autopsy by the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Prior to locating the vehicle the West Virginia State Police Aviation Unit was prepared to take a helicopter over the area to assist in searching for the vehicle. 

Initial Release (previously released):

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking information on the whereabouts of two missing adult males.  David Gandee and Shain Gandee were reported missing overnight.  They were last seen at Larry’s Bar in Sissonville, WV, around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, March 31, 2013.  The two said they were going four-wheeling in Shain’s Ford Bronco.  No one knows where they planned to ride, or the direction in which they left.

Neither is known to have contacted any family members since that time.  At this time no foul play is suspected.  Family members spent most of Sunday trying to locate or contact the two men before calling 911 to report them missing.  At the time of this release they have been missing for approximately 31 hours.

David Gandee is Shain Gandee’s uncle.  Both are from the Sissonville area of Kanawha County, but have taken vehicles off-road all over Sissonville, and throughout other parts of the County.

David Gandee is 48 years old, approximately 6’0”, 225 lbs.  He is a white male with green eyes and brown hair.

Shain Gandee is 21 years old, approximately 6’0”, 180 lbs.  He is a white male with brown eyes and brown hair.

They were last known to be in Shain’s vehicle, a 1984 Ford Bronco with oversized tires.  The bronco is red and white in color.  The West Virginia license plate number is 3UD308.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David or Shain Gandee is asked to call the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

–

Cpl. B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328

On April 3, 2013 detectives with the Kanawha Bureau of Investigation arrested Casey Michael Givens (21 years of age) of Elkview, WV, in relation to the home invasion robberies in Pinch from February 28, 2013.  Givens is the second person charged in connection with the crimes.  The co-defendant, Aaron Chapman, was charged last month.  Givens was charged with first degree robbery, attempted first degree robbery, and two counts of nighttime burglary.

Givens turned in himself at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office headquarters early Wednesday morning.  After booking procedures were completed he was arraigned by Magistrate Pauley who set a bond at $25,000.00 cash.  Givens was taken to South Central Regional Jail in lieu of bond. 

Attached is a copy of his photo from the booking procedure. 

As is the case with all arrests, the charges against Givens and Chapman are merely accusations.  They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

–

Cpl. B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328

On Monday, April 8, 2013, Deputies M. C. Dickerson and C. D. Lyons responded to a suspicious activity call near Witcher Creek and U.S. Route 60, near Belle, WV.  Two men had been seen in the area walking along a roadway on private property carrying backpacks.  Deputies Dickerson and Lyons followed the roadway on foot and found the two men, William Clifton Massey (22 years old of Belle, WV) and Robert Randall Meade (34 years old of Belle, WV).  The deputies saw the men operating a clandestine laboratory to make methamphetamine.  The two were arrested and evidence was seized. 

The investigation led Deputy Lyons to another residence on Witcher Creek Road.  During a consensual search of the residence evidence of a separate meth lab was discovered.  That evidence was also seized.  Jody Lee Dawson (39 years old male of Shrewsbury, WV) and Emerald Diana Massey (20 years old female of Belle, WV) were also arrested.

All four were charged with attempting to operate a clandestine laboratory and conspiracy to operate a clandestine laboratory.  They were arraigned by Magistrate Mike Sisson who set a bond of $25,000.00 cash each.  None were able to post bond and they were taken to South Central Regional Jail.

Attached are mug shots for the four subjects.  As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against the arrestees are merely accusations.  Each is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

–

Corporal B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East,

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328