THE FBI has raided the former home of an ex-cop who was the last person seen with a missing woman who vanished nearly two years ago.
Gretchen Fleming, 28, was last seen leaving a bar in Parkersburg, West Virginia, with Preston Pierce on December 4, 2022.
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She was reported missing by her family eight days later.
A year later, Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board confirmed Pierce, who was previously known as Darrell Lott, was a person of interest in Fleming’s disappearance.
Pierce, now 55, has worked as a police officer at multiple departments throughout West Virginia.
He has never been charged in the case.
READ MORE ON GRETCHEN FLEMING
Nearly two years after Fleming vanished, cops were seen investigating the house where Pierce used to live in Parkersburg, which is about 78 miles north of Charleston, West Virginia, on Wednesday.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners are conducting court authorized activity at an address in Parkersburg,” FBI Public Affairs Specialist Bradford Arick said in a statement.
“There is no threat to the public. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, there is no further comment at this time.”
Board confirmed in a statement that the search is in connection with Fleming’s disappearance.
“Though there is no new information to be released at this time, the execution of this search warrant is a continuation of the investigatory process,” Board said.
“Our agency remains dedicated to utilizing all available resources and investigative strategies to fulfill our commitment to seeking justice for Gretchen Fleming and providing answers for the Fleming family.
“The search warrant conducted today is part of that effort.”
He continued, “While we are at times forced to be vague in our public communications regarding this case, we continue to work vigorously behind the scenes and continue to update and inform the family every step of the way.”
Board added that as the two-year mark of Fleming’s disappearance approaches, police recognize that the situation has been an “unfathomable nightmare” for her family and thanked them for their support.
“The Parkersburg Police Department is committed to doing everything possible to provide them with the answers they desperately deserve,” Board said.
Gretchen Fleming’s disappearance
December 4, 2022 – Gretchen Fleming, 27, is last seen leaving the My Way Lounge and Restaurant in Parkersburg, West Virginia in the early hours of the morning with a mystery older man.
December 12, 2022 – Gretchen’s family reports her as missing.
December 24, 2022 – Gretchen’s 28th birthday passes.
December 29, 2022 – Parkersburg Police Chief Matt Board confirms police have a person of interest.
January 5, 2023 – A search warrant is served at the home of Preston Pierce, whose name was previously Darrell Lott.
December 2023 – Board confirms Pierce as the person of interest to the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
November 20, 2024 – A second search warrant is carried out at Pierce’s former house with the FBI.
Fleming lived with her grandparents at the time of her disappearance.
Investigators found her purse and phone while searching for the missing woman.
This isn’t the first time police have searched Pierce’s former home.
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In January 2023, they served a search warrant at the house along with his car, home, electronics, and other homes he might rent or own.
Police waited nearly a year to publicly name Pierce due to the ongoing case.
Early in the investigation, Pierce told cops that Fleming was in his car on the night she went missing from the My Way Lounge and Restaurant in downtown Parkersburg, police said.
He then declined to speak further with officers.
There is still a $100,000 reward for information leading to Fleming’s location.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Parkersburg Police for comment.
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