Skeletal Remains 2014 (IDENTIED 2026 – JEFFERY ALLEN BLAKE)

On August 31, 2014, skeletal remains were located under a bridge and on a riverbank off of Reamer Road in Clendenin, WV by a man who was walking his dog.

Near the location of the skeletal remains, investigators also discovered several items of clothing. At this time, it is unknown whether these items are associated with the remains. The items located include a size 11.5 shoe sole, a hat bearing the Ford logo, and a pair of red, white, and blue Nike basketball shorts (men’s size medium).

The remains were sent for a forensic anthropological analysis at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian concluded that the skeleton represents a Caucasian male, approximately 5’5″ in height, aged approximately 45 to 55 years. Characteristics of the bones and dentition suggest a history of physical labor, poor dental health and smoking.

A medical procedure had been conducted on the right side of the victim’s skull before death. A bone plate was attached to the cranium by a single, Y-shaped titanium plate. This medical procedure had been done to relieve pressure due to a traumatic event. None of the tools used during this procedure were serialized.

After information was shared on social media in February 2026, investigators were contacted by the physician who developed the specific medical procedure identified during the examination. The physician advised that, based on the healing observed to the skull, the procedure was most likely performed between 1995 and 2010. However, the possibility that it occurred outside of that timeframe cannot be completely ruled out.

It is believed that the procedure was most likely performed at CAMC General Hospital.

UPDATE 07/21/2026
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Human Remains Found in Clendenin

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has identified the skeletal remains that were discovered along Reamer Road near Clendenin in 2014.

For years, investigators worked to identify the remains through traditional investigative methods and public appeals. As part of the continuing investigation, a portion of the bone was submitted to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, where a DNA extraction was successfully performed.

The resulting DNA profile was then submitted to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Through CODIS, investigators received a match identifying the remains as Jeffery Allen Blake, born 02/02/1965.

Blake has known ties to the Moundsville area of West Virginia. At this time, investigators have not determined why he would have been in the Clendenin area prior to his death (remains were found in 2014).

Although the victim has now been identified, the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation. Investigators are continuing to work to establish Blake’s movements leading up to his death and are asking anyone who may have known him, had contact with him, or has information about how he came to be in the Clendenin area to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office at 304-357-0169 or submit an anonymous tip through our website.  KCSO CASE# 2014-94083109.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory for their invaluable assistance in bringing closure to this long-running unidentified remains case. While an important milestone has been reached by identifying the victim, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death remains active and ongoing.

If you have any information , please contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section at:
304-357-0556
or
SUBMIT YOUR TIPS ONLINE