WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – After 62 years, fresh eyes on the Raleigh County cold case of a beloved father who vanished without a trace in December 1963 have offered
meaningful progress in bringing the family closure.
Despite popular folklore, Sgt. James Lee Haynes was not killed by the Mad Butcher, but on Bolt Mountain by a trio of men.
Haynes’ twin daughters, along with law enforcement and military, went looking there on November 7 after the Army requested help from the Raleigh County Prosecutor’s Office.
They are all about bringing closure to Brenda and Linda, who were used to chronic disregard, yet never gave up hope that they would find their father.
The 32-year-old hitchhiked to Saulsville from Baltimore to deliver Christmas presents after a tour of duty in Germany, when he lost his life.
“This isn’t about a prosecution,” said Raleigh County prosecuting attorney Tom Truman, citing the age of the case. “This is about trying to help the family find the remains of Sergeant Haynes.”
When it comes to the investigation into the Purple Heart recipient’s disappearance and death, the search was narrowed to a much smaller area — Little Bolt Mountain, close to the Raleigh/Wyoming county line.
“You don’t know what you’re finding unless you look for it,” Truman said. “That could include nothing or a few clues. It would lead to something else. But we’ll see what the results are and go from there.”
All that was ever found of Haynes were his dog tags and three suspects. One was indicted, but that didn’t last.
“I couldn’t find anything in our files or records that would indicate why it was dismissed,” said the prosecuting attorney. “He was sent to Sharpe Hospital as an incompetent. But competency was restored. And when he returned from the hospital, the case was dismissed. But I don’t know why.”
Brenda and Linda have experienced unimaginable loss. The twins just want to be able to bury their father.
“It’s very important to the Haynes sisters. And we respect their views. I think their expectations may be a little higher than are warranted,” Truman said, adding that an associate (Ashley Acord) from his office contacted an organization that provides cadaver dogs. “These cadaver dogs have a great track record. So if there’s a chance, this is probably it.”
According to the prosecuting attorney, there were many resources put into Sgt. Haynes case.
“The West Virginia National Guard brought an excavator, and the Army brought equipment. They have an anthropologist on call,” said Truman. “If anything is found, they can at least know this is a human or animal bone. The Big Laurel Volunteer Fire Department has been very helpful. Wyoming County and Raleigh County officials have worked together. It is all we can do with what we are doing.”
