Kanawha County, WV (WOAY) We have another tragic update as the human remains found Friday in Kanawha County have been confirmed as those of a missing 16-year-old Kanawha County girl.
According to a media release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, an autopsy performed this morning confirmed the remains found during a search of property on Offutt Drive in the Big Chimney area were those of Shayln Harvey.
The cause of death has not yet been released pending further findings from the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Harvey was last seen on May 2.
Her remains were discovered at the property on Friday, May 15.
Testimonies from witnesses and neighbors led authorities back to the Offutt Drive residence following the arrest of Harvey’s stepfather, 52-year-old James Truman, at the home the week before.
Detectives interviewed Truman at the home on May 7, where he allegedly admitted to child sex crimes that mostly occurred in April at the residence.
Truman was charged the following day with sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or person in a position of trust, along with another sex-related charge.
He is currently being held at South Central Regional Jail on a 100-thousand-dollar cash-only bond.
The investigation into Harvey’s death remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office at 304-357-0556.
