Eighth Flood Victim Identified in Ohio County: Community Mourns Loss of Jesse Pearson as Search for Missing Woman Continues
TRIADELPHIA, WV — June 20, 2025 — Tragedy continues to unfold in the wake of the devastating floods that swept through Ohio County earlier this week. As of 8:15 a.m. this morning, local officials confirmed the identification of the eighth flood-related fatality.
Jesse Pearson, a 43-year-old resident of Triadelphia, was found deceased on Wednesday, marking another sorrowful milestone in a natural disaster that has left parts of West Virginia in mourning. The confirmation was provided by the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) in coordination with local authorities, as recovery efforts continue in storm-ravaged areas.
A Life Lost to the Waters
Jesse Pearson, known in the Triadelphia community for his hardworking spirit and quiet generosity, is being remembered with heavy hearts by family, friends, and neighbors. Described by many as a devoted father, loyal friend, and skilled craftsman, Jesse’s death is being felt across the small town where he lived, worked, and gave back.
“Jesse was one of those people you could always count on,” said a longtime friend. “If your basement was flooded, he’d be there with a pump. If your car broke down, he’d show up with a wrench. Now we’re the ones grieving, and it just doesn’t feel real.”
According to the EMA, Pearson was discovered in a low-lying area that had been completely inundated during the flash flooding. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under review, but officials believe he was swept away by fast-moving waters while attempting to seek higher ground.
Search for Sandra Kay Parsons Continues
While Pearson’s family prepares for an unthinkable farewell, another family remains in agonizing limbo. Authorities confirmed that 83-year-old Sandra Kay Parsons, also of Triadelphia, is still missing following the flood. Crews continue their exhaustive search operations in the affected areas, focusing on heavily damaged zones, waterways, and debris fields.
Parsons, described as a beloved grandmother and active church member, was last seen near her home during the early stages of the flood. Officials are urging the public to stay clear of search zones and allow emergency personnel to continue their work unimpeded.
“We remain hopeful and focused,” said a spokesperson for the search team. “We will not stop until every effort has been made to bring closure to her loved ones.”
A Community in Crisis
This week’s deadly flooding, sparked by days of relentless rain and rising rivers, has turned large parts of Ohio County into disaster zones. Roads have been washed out, homes submerged, and countless families displaced. Emergency shelters have been opened across the region, and local volunteers are rallying to provide food, clothing, and emotional support to those affected.
The loss of Jesse Pearson marks a grim milestone in what has become one of the most destructive natural disasters the area has seen in years. His death brings the confirmed toll to eight, with many more injured and dozens of properties severely damaged or destroyed.
“We’re mourning not just Jesse, but everyone we’ve lost,” said a Triadelphia town council member. “And at the same time, we’re lifting up those who are still missing, and those who’ve lost everything. It’s a time for grief, but also for unity and compassion.”
Official Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency Management teams, along with the National Guard, FEMA, and state rescue units, continue to assess the extent of the damage while providing resources and recovery support. Search dogs, drones, and volunteer groups have been deployed throughout the hardest-hit areas.
Governor and state leaders have pledged disaster relief funding and logistical support, vowing that Triadelphia and surrounding communities will not be forgotten.
The Ohio County EMA has also urged residents to exercise caution, avoid flood-damaged roads and bridges, and heed all emergency advisories. As cleanup begins, environmental hazards like downed power lines, contamination, and structural instability remain top concerns.
Honoring Jesse Pearson
Though gone far too soon, Jesse Pearson’s legacy of kindness and service lives on in the hearts of all who knew him. Local organizers have announced plans to host a candlelight vigil in Triadelphia’s town square this weekend, where residents will gather to remember those lost, including Jesse, and offer prayers for Sandra Kay Parsons and her family.
Funeral arrangements for Jesse Pearson are pending and will be announced by the family in the coming days.
Final Words
In moments like this—when waters recede and grief rises—it becomes clear how vital community truly is. Jesse Pearson’s death is a reminder of how fragile and precious life is, especially in the face of nature’s fury. As Triadelphia mourns, it also presses on, grounded in resilience and fueled by the hope that no more lives will be lost to this tragedy.
Our hearts remain with Jesse’s loved ones and with the entire Ohio County community during this time of sorrow, remembrance, and recovery.
Anyone with information that may assist in the search for Sandra Kay Parsons is urged to call the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department or the EMA tip line.