Preston D. Pierce indicted in disappearance die Gretchen Eve Fleming, Wood County west virginia. The 27-year-old disappeared 20 days before her 28th birthday on December 24. Currently, Fleming is 31 years old.
according to FBIFleming was last seen in the early morning hours of December 4, 2022, as she left My Way Lounge in Parkersburg. Her purse and its contents were forgotten. She was not reported missing until December 12 because Fleming lived with different relatives, so they were unaware she was missing. Fleming’s remains were discovered in September 2025 in the Palestine area of ​​Wilt County. The FBI describes her as a white female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 125 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
In November 2024, the FBI and Parkersburg Police Department searched a home in the 1300 block of Division Street Ext in Parkersburg in connection with this case. However, no information about the search warrant has been released.
“Our investigation quickly determined from the beginning that Mr. Pierce was the last person to be with Gretchen,” Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Bode said. “As the investigation progressed, the investigation revealed that Mr. Pierce was a suspect. Over the next three and a half years, that continued.” according to WCHSTV.
Here’s everything you need to know about Preston D. Pierce.
Preston D. Pierce: 5 Things You Need to Know
- Pierce was arrested Friday in Asheville, North Carolina. He is being held at the Buncombe County Detention Center and will be extradited to West Virginia.
- Pierce, 58, is a former police officer whose real name is Darrell Lott. The FBI and law enforcement searched numerous properties associated with this individual.
- According to jail records, Pierce is described as a white male, weighing 190 pounds and standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. He is being held at the main jail with no bail set as Pierce awaits extradition.
- Records show Pierce has scars, marks and tattoos on his body, including a scar on his left hip, a scar on his left elbow, a Pittsburgh Steelers tattoo on his left calf and a blue scorpion tattoo on his back. He also has a Celtic cross tattoo on his left chest.
- Pierce was identified as a person of interest in the case but was never charged. In January 2023, he told police that Fleming was in his car when he disappeared but made no further comment. He is now charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, hiding a body and kidnapping.
Pierce is in pre-trial status, according to the jail Record. The police chief told the Fleming family: “I sincerely thank the Fleming family. This has been an arduous process. The confidence they have shown throughout this process, not just the investigation but the tragedy that occurred on the periphery of this incident. The patience they have shown and the support they have shown and the belief they have placed in us over three and a half years is something I cannot express my gratitude for.”
