WV Hit and Run

West Virginia State Police > Cold Case Files

Cold Case Files 

June, 2007 - Missing Person - Greenbrier County

Mr. Johansen was last seen in the Greenbrier County area on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. He had just completed the sale of his personal vehicle and it is believed that he was to then travel to the Akron, Ohio area for the purpose of purchasing a new vehicle. It is not known by what means he was to make this trip to Ohio. Mr. Johansen has been a long time resident of the Greenbrier County area and his long time disappearance is unusual and troubling to his close friends. The West Virginia State Police are requesting that anyone with any information regarding the disappearance of James Johansen contact the West Virginia State Police Lewisburg Detachment at 304-647-7600.

October, 2001 - Missing Person - Monongalia County

The West Virginia State Police are assisting the Pennsylvania State Police with the investigation of a missing Pennsylvania man that, according to family members, has been missing since October 12, 2001. The missing man has been identified as thirty year old Jerry Lee Cushey.

The West Virginia State Police, at the request of the family, have conducted a total of four ground searches and four water searches, including one water search on October 12, 2001. The searches have been concentrated around the Cheat Lake area in Monongalia County. On October 12, 2001 there were a total of thirty-seven members representing Granville Volunteer Fire Department, Barbour County Search and Rescue Tactical Team, Marion County Dive Rescue Team, Mountaineer Area Rescue Group, and the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department, assisting in the search. To date, the searches have produced no conclusive evidence.

The West Virginia State Police are requesting that anyone with any information regarding the disappearance of Jerry Lee Cushey contact the West Virginia State Police Morgantown Detachment at 304-285-3200, or the Pennsylvania State Police Belle Vernon Barracks at 724-929-6262.

September, 2002 - Unidentified Human Remains - Greenbrier County

On September 26, 2002, a body was discovered in the Greenbrier State Forest by a passerby. The body was over an embankment along Greenbrier State Forest Road (Harts Run).

The body has been examined and determined to be of Asian descent with a height between 4'2" and 5'2", the age is believed to be between 25 to 33. One article of clothing was Mercata brand orange shorts which are only sold in Walmart stores in Mexico. The person's teeth were all found to be original with a few fillings. It was determined that the individual was probably right-handed. A pair of green swimming goggles was also located near the body. A blue Ford Escort was seen in the area and may possibly be linked to the crime.

Any information please contact the WV State Police, Lewisburg Detachment at (304)647-7600.

May, 2001 - Unidentified Human Remains - Greenbrier County

December, 1999 - Missing Persons - Lewis County

November, 1997 - Hit and Run - Kanawha County

On November 25, 1997, a body was located near the eastbound entrance ramp of I-64 at Dunbar. The body was identified as that of Cecil E. Dowell, age 46, of Edmond in Fayette County, WV. The investigation revealed that Dowell was reported as a missing person on November 5, 1997. The autopsy showed that the time of death was near the November 5th date and was caused by injuries sustained as a result of being struck by a vehicle. Further investigation found that the striking vehicle was definitely a Glacier Blue colored Chrysler vehicle and was a 1984, 1985, or 1988 model. It is also believed that the vehicle could be a 1984 or 1985 Plymouth Voyager or Dodge Caravan due to vehicle parts located at the scene, however, the latter could be due to a previous accident. It is the theory of the investigating officers that a person or persons unknown may have struck the subject not knowing that a person had been hit. The West Virginia State Police wish to close this investigation, anyone with information can provide anonymous information via www.wvcrime.com or to the Winfield Detachment at 304-586-2000 or via fax at 304-586-0763.