David Crawford was a 32-year-old Black man from Oceana, West Virginia, who had been missing since late December 2015. His case shifted from a missing-person investigation to a homicide probe after West Virginia State Police learned about a conversation between a 12-year-old girl and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Robert Tre Burton III, in which the shooting of Crawford was discussed. Interviews stemming from that tip led investigators into the Craney area of Wyoming County on the night of January 8, 2016, and a body recovered about 10 miles down Craney was later identified as Crawford’s.

Crawford’s former girlfriend, Cynthia Ellis, said she reported him missing after his cellphone service had been terminated and that she was later given a key to her post office box that others said Crawford had left for her. Police arrested four people in connection with Crawford’s death: John Toler, 27, of Turkey Dip, charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a felony; Vicki Toler, 18, charged with accessory after the fact and conspiracy; Raesha Massey, 25, charged with accessory after the fact to murder and conspiracy; and Robert Tre Burton III, charged with accessory after the fact and conspiracy and separately with second-degree sexual assault arising from his relationship with the 12-year-old girl.

If anyone knew David Crawford, his movements in late December 2015, or has information about the Craney area recovery, please come forward.