Parkersburg police make arrest in Gretchen Fleming case 4 years after her disappearance

PARKERSBURG, W.Va . (WTAP) –

UPDATE-5/15/2026 @ 6:28 PM-An arrest has been made in the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming, who was final seen late Dec. 3 into early Dec. 4, 2022, based on Parkersburg Police.

Fleming was reported lacking to the Parkersburg Police Department on Dec. 12, 2022. Police mentioned their investigation decided Preston D. Pierce,58 was the final particular person Fleming was recognized to be seen with.

Pierce is being charged with first-degree homicide, felony homicide (described as a loss of life occurring throughout the fee of an enumerated felony, in this case kidnapping), kidnapping, and concealment of a deceased human physique.

Police mentioned a significant break got here in September 2025, when human stays had been positioned in Wood County, West Virginia. Officials mentioned the stays had been collected and despatched for genetic testing and the outcomes decided the stays had been Fleming’s.

Authorities mentioned Pierce was taken into custody exterior West Virginia after an indictment was returned by a grand jury and entered into NCIC, permitting different companies to execute the arrest warrant. Police mentioned he’s at the moment being held in the Asheville, North Carolina space awaiting an extradition listening to. Officials mentioned the timeline for his return to West Virginia might vary from a few week to a number of months, relying on the extradition course of.

During the press convention, police mentioned further proof in the case can be offered via the courtroom course of.

Police mentioned the stays had been recognized by evaluating DNA extracted from the stays to a DNA profile investigator developed utilizing household DNA and gadgets collected throughout the missing-person investigation, with help from the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Marshall University. Officials mentioned a number of companies assisted in the investigation, together with West Virginia State Police and the FBI.

ORIGINAL:

The Parkersburg Police Department has arrested a suspect in the Gretchen Fleming case.

Friday afternoon, police mentioned they arrested Preston D. Pierce

Fleming was reported lacking almost 4 years after she was final seen at My Way Lounge in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, 2022.

The FBI – Pittsburgh and Parkersburg Police Department began (*4*) for data concerning Fleming.

Fleming was final seen leaving My Way Lounge in Parkersburg in the early morning hours of December 4, 2022.

In November 2024the Parkersburg Police Department and FBI searched a home on Division Street. This was the identical location authorities searched in January 2023, shortly after Gretchen’s disappearance.

No new proof sparked the 2024 search warrant. Authorities mentioned it was a part of the investigation course of.