Gretchen Eve Fleming, a 27-year-old woman from Parkersburg, West Virginia, was last seen in the early morning hours of December 4, 2022. She had been at the My Way Lounge on Juliana Street in Parkersburg. Fleming was not reported missing until December 12, 2022, as her family was initially not alarmed due to her habit of sometimes staying with friends for several days. Her grandmother had dropped her off for her work shift on December 3, and that was the last time a family member saw her. Concern grew when she remained out of contact and did not retrieve her purse, which contained her cell phone and other personal items, that had been left behind at the lounge.
The investigation into Fleming's disappearance quickly focused on Preston Pierce, a former West Virginia police officer who also used the name Darrell Lott. Surveillance footage from the lounge showed Fleming leaving with Pierce. He was identified as a person of interest early in the investigation.
When questioned, Pierce admitted to giving Fleming a ride but claimed he dropped her off downtown. He later stopped communicating with investigators. The investigation continued for years, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, which became involved in November 2024. Numerous searches were conducted by law enforcement and community volunteers at various locations, including a well in Ravenswood and Mountwood Park, but these efforts did not locate her. The community rallied in support of Fleming's family, holding vigils and putting up signs to keep her case in the public eye. A significant reward was offered for information leading to her whereabouts.
A major development in the case occurred in September 2025, when a hunter discovered human remains in a remote area of neighboring Wirt County. The remains, which included a skull, were found over an embankment near Palestine, West Virginia. Forensic and genetic testing confirmed the remains belonged to Gretchen Fleming. This discovery provided the breakthrough investigators needed to move forward with the case against their primary suspect.
In May 2026, a Wood County grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Preston Pierce, charging him with murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and concealment of a deceased human body. Within hours of the indictment, Pierce was arrested in Asheville, North Carolina, by U.S. Marshals. The arrest marked a turning point in the long investigation, bringing a sense of closure to a community that had been deeply affected by her disappearance.Last Seen: Dec 4, 2022
