BIG CHIMNEY, W.Va. — Female human remains discovered at a Big Chimney property on Friday have been identified as a missing 16-year-old girl.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said the body matched the missing Shayln Shantel Harvey during an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Monday.
Harvey was last seen May 2. Her disappearance was reported by her stepfather, James Truman, 52, on May 4.
Authorities did not release the cause of death. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said it is an ongoing homicide investigation.
Sheriff’s deputies, along with specially trained crews, searched the property at 355 Offutt Drive — where Harvey lived — last week to follow up on information given to authorities by neighbors. Harvey’s body was found at the property Friday.
UPDATE: Human remains found on Offutt Dr in Big Chimney WV have been positively identified as Shayln Shantel Harvey. What started as a missing juvenile will not be investigated as a homicide. TIPS? Call a detective 304-357-0556 or https://t.co/h9md5vQLrb#KCSO #KanawhaSheriff pic.twitter.com/QcdjAsmJ5M
— Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office (@KanawhaSheriff) May 18, 2026
This was the second visit to the property from authorities, as they had been called to the scene when Harvey was first reported missing.
Chief Deputy Sean Snuffer declined to share what the neighbors had said.
Meanwhile, Truman is now in jail on child sexual abuse charges that deputies say are related to Harvey.
A criminal complaint said Truman admitted to sex crimes when deputies were interviewing him about Harvey’s disappearance.
He’s being held in the South Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bail.
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 304-357-0556 or online at www.kanawhasheriff.us.
“The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Shalyn Harvey during this difficult time,” a statement from the department read.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said more information will be released as the investigation continues.