On August 20, 2019, in the small town of Sutton, West Virginia, 28-year-old Chandice Cochran vanished, leaving behind a life and a family that continues to search for answers. Chandice, a female with blue eyes and brown hair that she often dyed, was living with her mother at the time. That Tuesday, her mother left for work and returned to an empty house. A handwritten note from Chandice was discovered, offering a glimmer of reassurance that would soon fade into years of uncertainty. It read, "Mom, I took off for a little while. I'm in good hands, I promise. Be back shortly, please don't worry, no need to. Call if you need me. Love you, Chan." Despite the note's hopeful tone, all of Chandice's personal belongings remained in the home, an unsettling detail in what would become a complex and troubling case.
The investigation into Chandice's disappearance revealed that on the afternoon she was last seen, she was picked up from her mother's residence by a man named Kristopher Speas. The two reportedly traveled to the Birch River area in Nicholas County, allegedly to sell drugs. Their journey led them to the home of another man, Sam Kelly, who stated he last saw Chandice and Kristopher leaving his residence on foot around midnight. This was the last known sighting of Chandice. Her cell phone was turned off around the same time and has never been recovered. The following morning, at approximately 7:00 am, Sam Kelly reported seeing Kristopher Speas walking alone along Widen-Dille Road, a few miles from Birch River. When questioned, Speas claimed that his memory of that night was hazy due to being under the influence of drugs, but he has consistently maintained his innocence in Chandice's disappearance. Shortly after she went missing, a significant piece of evidence surfaced when a local resident discovered Chandice's change purse, containing her identification, in the woods near Birch River.
As the investigation progressed, Kristopher Speas was arrested on outstanding warrants unrelated to Chandice's case and is currently incarcerated. Despite multiple interviews with police, he has not provided any information that has led to a breakthrough in locating Chandice. The case has remained active, with law enforcement continuing to pursue leads. In May 2024, the West Virginia State Police executed a search warrant at a property on Widen-Dille Road in Clay County in connection with her disappearance. Investigators have stated they believe foul play was involved in Chandice's case. The overarching question of what transpired after Chandice and Kristopher Speas left Sam Kelly's home remains the central mystery. With no conclusive evidence of her whereabouts, the case of Chandice Cochran is a poignant story of a young woman who vanished, leaving her family and community grappling with a profound and unanswered loss. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to ask for the public's help with any information that might bring closure to this distressing case.Last Seen: Aug 20, 2019
