Human remains found in near multi-week search for missing teen, step-father arrested

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WKRC) – Female human remains were discovered during a near multi-week search for a missing teenage girl. A member of her family was taken into custody.

According to The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 16-year-old Shayln Shantel Harvey went missing in Big Chimney, West Virginia on May 2, 2026.

Authorities said they believed she left in blue Dodge Ram pickup truck from the early 2000s while wearing black sweatpants and a blue shirt, and was further described as having a wrist tattoo reading “4-19-19 Lena B,” and wearing a necklace with a letter “J” charm.

In an update posted to social media on Friday, May 15, Law enforcement confirmed that human remains had been located after deputies executed a search warrant at a residence located at 355 Offutt Drive in Big Chimney.

Since she was first reported missing, deputies said they had been “conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and following up on numerous leads, which ultimately led investigators to obtain a search warrant for the property.” The statement further notes that the search of the property was supported by cadaver K-9 teams from West Virginia Search and Rescue.

Authorities said the remains were handed over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification and further examination, adding that no further information would be released “pending confirmation of the identity of the remains.”

According to WBOY, Chief Sean Snuffer confirmed that James Truman was taken into custody on charges connected to Shayln, but stated that he could not elaborate amid an ongoing investigation, adding that Truman’s arrest did not lead to the discovery of the remains.

Citing information from West Virginia Jails and Corrections, WBOY reported that Truman was arrested on May 8, 2026, and is facing a charge of “sexual abuse by parent, guardian, custodian, or other person in a position of trust to a child.”

Authorities declined to comment on the investigation into Truman, per the report.

In the statement posted to Facebook, Chief Snuffer thanked investigators who assisted with the search effort.

“I want to commend the work of our Patrol Division and Detective Bureau throughout this investigation. This is not the outcome anyone hoped for in a missing person case, but we hope this development may provide some measure of closure to the family and friends,” Chief Snuffer wrote.