Tragic Discovery in West Virginia

Four members of an Indian-origin family from New York were tragically found dead following a car crash in West Virginia. The family, who had been reported missing while traveling to a spiritual site, were discovered on Saturday evening. Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed the identities of the victims as Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84). They were traveling in a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry with a New York license plate EKW2611.

Details of the Incident

The vehicle was located off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road at approximately 9:30 PM local time. First responders worked tirelessly for over five hours at the scene. Sheriff Dougherty expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and stated that further details would be released pending the investigation’s completion.

Journey to a Spiritual Destination

The family embarked on their journey from Buffalo, New York, intending to visit Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia. Their last known sighting was at a Burger King outlet in Pennsylvania on July 29. CCTV footage captured two members entering the restaurant, and their final credit card transaction was traced to this location. A Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader later detected their vehicle heading south on I-79.

Efforts to Locate the Missing Family

Authorities from both Marshall and Ohio counties conducted extensive searches in nearby areas. The vehicle’s details were registered with the National Crime Information Center, and a missing persons report was filed in Buffalo. The Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI), based in Williamsville, New York, also assisted in efforts to locate the family. CHAI President Sibu Nair expressed deep concern for the missing individuals and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Community Response and Investigation

The tragic news has deeply affected both the local community and those connected to the family. As investigations continue, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the accident. The community remains hopeful for answers that may bring some closure to this heartbreaking incident.