Remains found by hiker in state park identified as man missing since July, WV cops say
Remains found in a West Virginia state forest have been identified as a missing doctor, deputies say.
In September, a hiker spotted the human remains along Mont Chateau trail in Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office said. The remains were identified Oct. 6 as John Lawson Magruder, who has been missing since July.
Deputies say they do not suspect foul play.
Magruder, 39, was reported missing July 27, deputies say. He was last seen in the Coopers Rock area. After searching over 842 acres of the forest, the sheriff’s office called off their search for Magruder on Aug. 1.
The Morgantown doctor was an assistant professor of pediatric neurology at West Virginia University where he also practiced medicine, according to the school’s website.
Patients and their families remember Magruder as a caring, friendly doctor.
“It was so wonderful having him as his doctor. He was always smiling, so happy, loving, caring,” one user commented on Facebook. “He opened his arms right away to my son from day one!! Our hearts are forever heartbroken!!!”
“Such a sad ending for an amazing soul,” another user wrote in a Facebook comment.
Coopers Rock State Forest is in northern West Virginia, near the Pennsylvania border, and about 160 miles northeast of Charleston.
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