Big Chimney, West Virginia — A 16-year-old girl who was reported missing has been found dead in her home, leading to the arrest of her stepfather on multiple charges of child sex abuse as authorities begin a homicide investigation.
Shayln Shantel Harvey was last seen on May 2 in the Kanawha County area. Two days later, her stepfather, 52-year-old James Warren Truman, reported her missing. Following his report, Truman was taken into custody and charged with one count each of incest and sexual abuse of a minor, with allegations stemming from incidents primarily occurring in April.
Court documents reveal that Truman admitted to committing these offenses, indicating a troubling history within the household. Following the report of Harvey’s disappearance, authorities executed a search warrant at the family’s residence on Offutt Drive. Cadaver dogs from the West Virginia Search and Rescue were utilized to aid in the search for any evidence related to her whereabouts.
During the search, human remains were located on the property and were sent to the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification. The autopsy subsequently confirmed that the remains belonged to Harvey, and her death has been officially classified as a homicide.
Initially, the investigation began as a missing person case. However, as detectives pursued leads, circumstances soon pointed toward the home shared by Harvey and her family. Authorities have stated that Truman’s arrest is linked to the investigation into the teen’s disappearance, though they have not publicly connected his charges to her death.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the cause of death will be withheld until the complete findings from the medical examiner are available. Investigators are continuing their inquiry, which remains active, as they process evidence, conduct interviews, and pursue additional leads.
Harvey’s passing stands as a tragic incident in Kanawha County, and local officials have expressed their condolences to her family. The outcome of the ongoing investigation may determine whether Truman faces additional charges related to her death.
Community members had rallied during the search for Harvey, hoping for her safe return. Unfortunately, the discovery of her remains dashed those hopes, underscoring the grim turn the case has taken. Anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to reach out to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau.