MONONGALIA COUNTY, WV. (THECOUNT) — In a somber update to a case that has gripped the community, Monongalia County officials have confirmed that the human remains discovered last month in a shallow grave were those of Kimberly Osborne. The 47-year-old woman had been missing since May 2024, her last known sighting being on River Road in Morgantown.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office announced that the remains were found on November 16th on Little Indian Creek Road. Subsequent to their discovery, they were forwarded to the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for detailed autopsy and positive identification. The process, which involved forensic analysis, statements from individuals familiar with the case, and digital evidence, finally confirmed the identity of the remains as belonging to Osborne.
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The case has seen collaboration from various law enforcement agencies, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the investigation. Alongside the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, and the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office have all been involved. This multi-agency approach was necessary given the nature of the crime, now officially ruled as a homicide.
The investigation benefited significantly from the expertise of a forensic anthropology team from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, known for their specialized skills in handling outdoor homicide cases. Their involvement was pivotal in piecing together the physical evidence from the scene.
Although the identification of Osborne brings a tragic conclusion to the search for her, the investigation into her death is far from over. Authorities are still piecing together the events leading up to her demise, seeking to understand not only how she ended up in that shallow grave but also who might be responsible for her death.
The community of Morgantown, along with Osborne’s family and friends, now seeks closure, hoping that the ongoing investigation will lead to justice. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information, no matter how small it might seem, to come forward. They can be reached at 304-291-7260.
This case has highlighted the often unseen but critical work of forensic science and law enforcement collaboration, showing how every piece of evidence, every statement, can lead to answers in cases that initially seem unsolvable. As the investigation continues, the memory of Kimberly Osborne, a beloved member of the community, remains at the forefront, a reminder of the work still to be done to bring peace to those she left behind.
Monongalia County, known locally as Mon County, is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 105,822, making it West Virginia’s third-most populous county. Its county seat is Morgantown. The county was founded in 1776.Wikipedia
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