West Virginia
West Virginia police announce an arrest in the Gretchen Fleming case, after remains found in September identified
It has been nearly four years since 27-year-old Gretchen Fleming vanished from Parkersburg, West Virginia, on December 4, 2022. She was reported missing days later, on the 12th.
Dateline featured her story in our “Missing in America” digital series just two weeks after she went missing. At the time, Gretchen’s father, David Fleming, told Dateline the community had been extremely supportive to their family and they were grateful to detectives who were “working around the clock” on Gretchen’s case.
Now, that hard work has brought some answers to the Fleming family.
On May 15, 2026, the Parkersburg Police Department went live on their Facebook page with breaking news: Remains discovered in September 2025 had been identified as Gretchen and an arrest had been made in the case.
“This morning, May 15th, a Grand jury in Wood County here in West Virginia delivered a four-count indictment on Preston Pierce, 58 years of age, in connection with the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming,” Police Chief Matthew Board said during the press conference. “The counts on that indictment are first-degree murder, felony murder, concealment of a deceased human body, and kidnapping.”
U.S. Marshals apprehended Pierce in Asheville, North Carolina. “Our investigation, from the onset, quickly determined that Mr. Pierce was the last person Gretchen was known to be seen with,” Board said. Pierce became a person of interest in the case. Chief Board described the investigation as “unrelenting.”
“As time went on, the case grew stronger,” Board stated at the press conference.
“In September of ‘25, a — a major break happened,” the police chief said. “Human remains were located in Wirt County, West Virginia.” Wirt County is more than half an hour from Parkersburg.
Authorities said they do not know how long the remains were in that location. The remains were sent for extensive genetic testing and were identified as belonging to Gretchen. Authorities said they could not talk about a cause of death at this time.
“This is obviously not the outcome that we have all prayed for. This is not what we wanted, but it is my hope that through, you know, bringing Gretchen home and holding Mr. Pierce accountable for his actions, will help them get the peace that they need and- and begin the mourning process,” Chief Board said.
“I want to, from my heart, thank the Fleming family,” Board said at the press conference. “The patience that they’ve shown over three and a half years, and their continued support of us and faith in us, um, is more appreciated than I can even put into words.”
“We would not be here if it was not for the hard work of, uh, our detective bureau,” Board said, adding that it was a collaborative effort with multiple agencies and the community.
Preston Pierce is being held in Asheville, awaiting an extradition hearing on June 5 to be sent back to West Virginia, where he will be arraigned. According to NBC affiliate WTAP, no bond hearing has been scheduled. Dateline has reached out to Pierce’s attorney in West Virginia for comment but has not yet heard back.
Authorities did not disclose what evidence they may have. “As this matter is now before the court, no further details will be released at this time in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process,” the Parkersburg Police Department wrote in a press release. They also stated that, “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Over the past few years, both Gretchen’s grandmother and her father have passed away — without knowing exactly what happened to her. Detective James Zimmerman, the lead investigator on Gretchen’s case, said that this case has changed him, for good. “I think a lot of times in law enforcement we can be kind of robotic, and I think, you know, getting to know this family and having sympathy and empathy with them and— and getting to know them, um, it’s forever changed my — my career and how I approach, uh, cases from now on,” Zimmerman said at the press conference.
The Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance, a nonprofit in West Virginia fighting for equality for women and minorities, is holding a candlelight vigil in Gretchen’s honor at Point Park in Parkersburg tonight, Monday, May 18, at 8 p.m.
The Parkersburg Police Department encourages anyone with information pertaining to Gretchen’s case to still come forward. You can contact them at (304) 424-8444.
West Virginia
Strong wind at NCAA baseball tournament in West Virginia sends 5 people to the hospital
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Five people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained when a strong wind tore through an area occupied by fans at the Morgantown Super Regional NCAA baseball tournament game between West Virginia and Cal Poly on Saturday, according to the university.
Video from the storm showed rain and wind that reached speeds of 40 mph tearing up a tent, with one person flying through the air while trying to hold it down as another person rolls uncontrollably down a hill.
Other fans scrambled for safety from an area known as Randy’s Ridge near the Kendrick Family Ballpark.
“I was just trying to hold my weight on the pole with the cement block, and then it started sliding, and then another guy joined in, and he’s trying to hold another pole, and then a big gust of wind came,” West Virginia fan Keith Hill told WAJR radio. “It just started sliding really hard, and people got caught up in the ropes and the poles.”
West Virginia University police confirmed that five people were transported to a hospital.
The game was in a weather delay at the time.
“We have been in touch with health-care providers in the area to ensure those affected are supported in their recovery,” West Virginia athletics spokesperson Michael Fragale said in a statement.
West Virginia won the game 17-1 to advance to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
Tent blows over during a WVU baseball game weather delay
The school said five people were injured after heavy winds blew an event tent over.
Multiple West Virginia baseball fans were injured during Saturday’s Morgantown Super Regional between the Mountaineers and Cal Poly.
A spokesperson for West Virginia Athletics confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Saturday that several fans sustained injuries during a weather delay after heavy winds blew an event tent over at an adjacent parking lot to Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“WVU would like to thank the immediate response of EMS, law enforcement and fire first responders who immediately secured the area and treated the injured spectators. While it was a great day for Mountaineer baseball, all of Mountaineer Nation’s thoughts are with those who were involved,” the statement read.
Saturday’s game between the Mountaineers and Mustangs was delayed in the eighth inning for over an hour and a half due to weather in the area, which included thunderstorms and lightning. The statement said five people were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
“We have confirmed through the University Police Department that five people were transported for treatment. We have been in touch with health care providers in the area to ensure those affected are supported in their recovery,” the statement said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker asked for prayers for the fans who were injured.
On the field, No. 16 West Virginia defeated Cal Poly 17-1 to finish off the sweep of the Morgantown Super Regional and advance to the program’s first College World Series. Ben Lumsden and Tyrus Hall hit back-to-back home runs as part of the Mountaineers’ seven-run second inning.
West Virginia is set to open up play at the College World Series against Troy either Friday, June 12 or Saturday, June 13. The NCAA has not released official start times and dates for the CWS.
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West Virginia took game one from Cal Poly 12-2 on Friday and will look to end the series today and punch their ticket to Omaha. The Mustangs are hoping to live another day and force a decisive game three on Sunday.
Per usual, we will have all the updates for you in the game thread, along with the starting lineups listed underneath.
GAME THREAD
TOP 1 (WVU)
West Virginia’s starting lineup
1. 1B Armani Guzman — .310
2. C Gavin Kelly —.377
3. CF Paul Schoenfeld — .341
4. DH Sean Smith — .321
5. LF Matthew Graveline — .292
6. SS Matt Ineich — .296
7. 2B Brodie Kresser — .292
8. RF Ben Lumsden — .257
9. 3B Tyrus Hall – .275
SP Maxx Yehl
Cal Poly’s starting lineup
1. SS Nate Castellon — .326
2. 3B Alejandro Garza — .323
3. RF Dylan Kordic — .277
4. C Ryan Tayman — .360
5. DH Cam Hoiland — .315
6. CF Casey Murray Jr .— .321
7. 1B Gavin Spiridonoff — .291
8. LF Dante Vachini — .288
9. 2B Jake Downing — .272
SP Carson Turnquist
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