Discovery of human remains could crack 1998 mystery disappearance

Published 6:30 pm Friday, March 11, 2016

FAIRMONT, W. Va. — It’s been almost 18 years since Robert Leroy Kovack disappeared. 

The 24-year-old Virginia Tech student has not been seen or heard from since Friday, Sept. 18, 1998. But now, the search for him may be over. 

According to police in southern West Virginia, human remains along with multiple items belonging to the missing man were discovered Thursday under the New River Gorge Bridge, about a mile from where Kovack’s car was found along U.S. 19 back in 1998. 

Sgt. K.D. Horrocks with the West Virginia State Police wrote in a press release that a work crew under the bridge discovered the human skeletal remains while preparing for upcoming bridge repairs. He said the remains were found 650-700 feet under the bridge.

Horrocks writes in the press release that evidence discovered at the scene indicates the remains could potentially be that of Kovack.

Lt. Michael Baylous with the State Police confirmed that Kovack’s wallet with identification was found near the remains, along with keys.

Baylous said the area where the remains were found doesn’t see foot traffic.

“A lot of undergrowth and high grass was in the area,” he said. “It was a difficult area to get to, and there’s hardly anyone there.”

Kovack’s mother reported her son missing on Sept. 21, 1998, after being unable to contact him for three days. Five days later, Kovack’s vehicle, a Geo Tracker, was found, gas tank empty, just north of the New River Gorge Bridge. 

The remains will be processed for positive confirmation and the investigation is ongoing. Police said the Smithsonian will be contacted concerning the human remains.

Baylous said it’s too early to speculate if foul play was involved, but the area is considered a crime scene.

“We’ll continue to investigate in search of any clues from back then that may lead us to what happened that night,” he said. “We’ll go from there.”

Gallagher writes for the Fairmont, Times West Virginian