Story by Chris Lawrence
SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — State Police and the DNR’s Natural Resources Police are engaged in an investigation for a missing man at Summersville Lake.
The individual is a 44-year old man from Morgantown and was last believed to have gone to the lake for a day trip at Battle Run Beach on Sunday. According to information collected, the man entered the area and purchased his permit at 4:12 p.m. Sunday and hasn’t been seen since that time.
Lt. Mike Coberly of the Natural Resources Police said the circumstances are highly unusual.
“There were personal items like clothing items and a cell phone, things most people wouldn’t leave behind, left on a picnic table there in that immediate area of Battle Run Beach. It’s still not known if he went into the water or if he is still on land somewhere,” said Coberly.
State Police and Natural Resources Police Officers are combing the area in hopes of finding additional clues of his whereabouts. The family filed a missing persons report Monday with the State Police who are heading up the investigation. The name of the man has not been released at this point.
“Officers are searching the area and the water as well to some degree to try and ascertain if he went into the water or is still on land or if he left the area with someone else. We don’t know at this point,” said Coberly.