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Remains of Missing W. Va. Woman Found at Sex Offender’s Home After Months-Long Search

The remains of a woman from West Virginia who has been missing since August have been found at a registered sex offender’s neighboring residence.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office told  that the remains of Christa Merrill, 34, were positively identified by authorities after they were found at a residence on Owings Road near Shinnston on January 29.

On August 27, Merrill was last spotted in the neighboring town of Clarksburg. According to a missing persons poster put up around the neighborhood, she never appeared despite telling family members she would be returning to Fairmont at 3 p.m. that day.

Although the Sheriff’s Office stated that an autopsy had been conducted on January 31 and the results would be made public shortly, they did not disclose the state of the remains or the reason for her passing.

Additionally, the sheriff stated that the property’s owner is a sex offender who is incarcerated on other charges, but he did not immediately reveal his name.

According to tax documents, Andrew Neal Debolt, a registered sex offender who is presently being prosecuted for allegedly beating another man at a post office in November, is the owner of the home.

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