A tragic road trip from Buffalo, New York, to West Virginia ended in heartbreak as four Indian-origin family members who had been reported missing were found dead following a car crash. Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed the discovery late Saturday night. The victims have been identified as Dr. Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan. According to authorities, their light green Toyota Camry was located at approximately 9:30 pm on August 2, off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road in Marshall County, West Virginia. First responders were at the scene for over five hours, working tirelessly to recover the vehicle and victims. The sheriff expressed his deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and stated that further information will be released once the investigation is complete.
The Divan family was last seen on Tuesday, July 29, at around 2:45 pm at a Burger King on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Surveillance footage from the location showed two members of the family entering the restaurant, marking the last confirmed sighting of the group. The family’s credit card was last used at the same location, providing the final trace of their movements before the accident.
Subsequent investigations revealed that a Pennsylvania State Trooper’s license plate reader had captured their Toyota Camry traveling south on Interstate 79. Authorities confirmed that the family was en route to Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a spiritual retreat in Moundsville, West Virginia, but they never arrived at their pre-booked accommodation. Search teams later found that the family’s cell phones had last pinged to towers near Moundsville and Wheeling around 3 am on Wednesday, July 30. Despite extensive search efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies, drones, and ground teams, there had been no contact or confirmed sightings of the family until the vehicle was located.
The sheriff’s office had earlier released vehicle details and surveillance images, appealing to the public for any information that could help in the search. A missing persons report was also filed in Buffalo when the family failed to reach their destination or respond to calls. During the investigation, deputies from both Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia conducted extensive searches along nearby roads. Helicopter assistance was scheduled to join the search effort, but the tragic discovery was made before aerial support could begin.
Authorities reported that the Toyota Camry had veered off the roadway and landed down a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, a secluded area not easily visible from the main road. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and investigators are currently examining the vehicle and roadway conditions to establish what might have led to the fatal accident. Weather conditions, driver fatigue, and possible mechanical failure are among the factors being considered.
Sheriff Mike Dougherty issued an official statement expressing sorrow for the outcome and gratitude to the public for their assistance during the search. He acknowledged the support of surrounding law enforcement agencies and reassured that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances leading to the accident. “We know this is not the outcome anyone had hoped for. We are grateful for the public’s assistance during the search and will continue to work with partner agencies to determine what happened,” the sheriff said.
The Divan family had been traveling in a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry bearing a New York license plate EKW2611. They were reportedly visiting Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a popular spiritual site in West Virginia, when the tragedy struck. Friends, family members, and the Indian-American community have expressed deep grief over the loss, remembering the victims as respected and loving individuals.
The discovery of the vehicle and bodies has brought closure to a tense search but opened up new questions about how the accident occurred. The investigation remains ongoing, and the authorities will release further details upon its completion. For now, the community mourns the tragic loss of four lives cut short during what was supposed to be a peaceful road trip.
