Kentucky woman who disappeared on way to work found dead in river, state police say
Published 4:30 pm Monday, March 18, 2024
When a Kentucky woman didn’t show up for work on Sunday, her family grew concerned; a short time later state police found her dead body submerged in a river.
Police said they received a call of a missing person Sunday afternoon.
The family of Vanessa Crum, 52, of Van Lear, became concerned when she did not report to work. A trooper from Post 9 contacted the family and began the investigation.
A ping of Crum’s cell phone enabled investigators to obtain a potential location.
Pikeville Police Department was notified and began to assist with the investigation. An officer with Pikeville Police Department located Crum’s vehicle.
The initial investigation indicated Vanessa Crum was operating a 2023 Nissan Rogue on US 23, when Crum’s vehicle exited the roadway, went over an embankment, and became submerged into the Levisa Fork River. Crum was pronounced deceased on scene by the Pike County Coroner’s Office.
Detective Mahala Lewis is investigating and was assisted on scene by Kentucky State Police Post 9 personnel, Pikeville Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and Pike County Emergency Management.