Body Found Near Portland, Suspect Now in Custody

UPDATED

Meigs County Sheriff Keith O. Wood reports a body discovered Saturday on the banks of the Ohio River has been identified as 16 year old Erika Brown who was reported missing on August 10 from Kanahwa County West Virginia.

Sheriff Wood states that Ernest M. Roach (36 Years of Age) of Racine was taken into custody on federal charges out of Kanahwa County in connection with the disappearance of Erika Brown after being stopped by an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper.

While Roach was in custody, the remains of Brown were discovered by a group of individuals camping on the Ohio River. Meigs County Prosecutor Collen Williams states Roach will be charged with alleged murder on September 2, 2014. Roach is currently in the custody of The United States Marshal Service in South Central Regional Jail in West Virginia.

Sheriff Wood states that the investigation has been a joint effort between The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, Kanahwa County WV. Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County WV. Sheriff’s Office, and The United Stated Marshal Service.

The investigation is currently ongoing and further details will be released as they become available.

ORIGINAL STORY

Meigs County Sheriff Keith O. Wood reports deputies from the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office discovered an unidentified body along the shore of the Ohio River near Portland Ohio around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday August 30th. Deputies as well as investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Investigation and Identification, Meigs County Coroner’s Office, and West Virginia authorities were on the scene.

Authorities have a person of interest in custody at this time in West Virginia.

Further details will be released as they become available.