CHESAPEAKE, W.Va. — A woman’s body was found Monday afternoon in the Kanawha River after a search that had been underway since last Wednesday.
Julia Horton, 46, is believed to have fallen into the river, but no eyewitnesses saw what happened. Her wheelchair was found near the riverbank last week.
“I’m not going to put two and two together yet and say it was part of that search (for Horton). But we can surmise that,” said Kanawha County Deputy Emergency Manager CW Sigman.
Sigman described why it may have taken so long for Horton’s body to surface, which was found at the Marmet Locks and Dam
“The water’s very cold. In the summertime for example, when we have a drowning they pop up pretty quick,” Sigman said. “The warmer the water the faster they come up. Body composition and a lot of other factors, but basically the warmer the water the faster (a body will surface).”
Sigman also said yesterday’s rain in the Kanawha Valley may have helped the body surface. He credited AEP crews for their work in the search.
“They were right there with us the whole time. AEP guys were right there when they found the body and everyone jumped in and assisted,” Sigman said.
He wouldn’t speculate on whether the incident was accidental or a suicide. The Chesapeake Police Department is handling the investigation.