BELLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A decomposing body was found in a home by Kanawha Deputies Thursday along with a man hiding in a closet within the residence.
According to a press release, on Thursday, June 1, 2023, just before 10:00 a.m., Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Legal Process Division was accompanied by Belle Police to a residence in the 400 block of 5th Street in Belle.
Legal Process Deputies were going to the residence to serve the tenant with an eviction notice when they detected suspicious signs coming from the inside of the home and no indications of anyone present.
Belle Police made entry into the home where a decomposing body was located inside. After the discovery was made, officers vacated the home and contacted the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Section to respond.
Detectives with Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and obtained a search warrant to reenter the residence. After the warrant was granted in Kanawha County Magistrate Court, detectives entered the residence where they located the deceased and found a male hiding inside a closet.
Detectives confirmed the male found inside the home was the son of the tenant whom Legal Process Deputies were attempting to locate for the eviction service. The deceased person inside the residence was found to be in the decomposition stages.
At this time, no identifying information has been established on the deceased and the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office is on scene investigating. Detectives are expected to be in the area for several more hours this evening as they continue to investigate and collect evidence.
The male found inside the home has been detained by deputies and is currently being interviewed. At this time no charges have been filed as it is still early in the investigation.
To protect the integrity of the investigation this is all the information that police have released; however, police can confirm the investigation is being treated as suspicious. The KCSO will continue to update as new information develops.
