MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Two people have been charged in connection with the discovery of human remains in Letart, West Virginia.
The victim, who was identified as Michael S. Phalen, 65, of New Haven, has been reported missing, according to officials.
His remains were found along Broad Run Road.
Brandon Harbaugh and Jodi Gerlach were arrested in connection with the discovery and charged with concealment of a deceased human body and conspiracy, according to Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Seth Gaskins.
2 charged in death investigation, victim identified
According to criminal complaints, on or about Nov. 29, officials say Phalen and Harbough got into a fight.
On that same day, criminal complaints stated that both Harbaugh and Gerlach arrived at their home along Fourth Street in New Haven in a red Ford F150.
Harbough told officials he knowingly left Phalen, the owner of the Ford, inside the truck’s backseat.
According to the criminal complaint, Harbaugh returned to the truck a few hours later to find Phalen dead.
Officials reported that Harbaugh and Gerlach drove the truck to Broad Run Road with Phelan’s body still in the truck.
The criminal complaint states Harbaugh left Gerlach at the bottom of the hill and drove the truck to the top of the hill to a wide spot where he turned around before dumping the body.
On December 24, a tip led the chief of the New Haven Police Department to the Broad Run Road property where Phalen’s body was found about 200 years away from a house on a small trail.
Harbaugh admitted to law enforcement that he had a fight with Phalen, left him in the truck and returned to find that he had passed away.
Harbaugh also admitted that he drove Phalen’s body to the Broad Run Road property.
Harbaugh and Gerlach were arraigned Tuesday night in Mason County and are in the Western Regional Jail on a $75,000 cash or surety bond.
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