Name: Gretchen Fleming
Age: 27 years old
Last seen: December 3, 2022
Location: Parkersburg, West Virginia
Status: Found deceased in September 2025, arrest made
Case Information
27-year-old Gretchen Fleming was last seen in Parkersburg, West Virginia on December 3, 2022. She disappeared after leaving a local bar with an older man.
Background
Gretchen Fleming was born on December 24, 1994, in West Virginia. She studied Political Science at William Peace University and Shaw University in North Carolina.
At the time of her disappearance, Fleming was living with her grandmother in Vienna, a small town of about 35,000 in West Virginia. She worked at an H&M store in the Grand Central Mall.
Fleming had recently returned home from North Carolina where she went to college and lived for a few years. Described as independent and creative, she was passionate about music, travel, and writing.
Disappearance
On the night of December 3, 2022, Gretchen Fleming spent the night out with a friend at multiple bars and restaurants in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
After visiting the Front Row Bar, Gretchen went to My Way Lounge & Restaurants, a tavern located at 501 Juliana Street.
At 3:00 am on December 4, Gretchen was last seen on surveillance camera leaving the My Way Lounge with an older man and heading toward his car, a Black Nissan Rogue 1 Sport SUV. The video did not capture the pair getting into his car, due to it’s location.
Gretchen never returned home and hasn’t been heard from since.
On December 12, 2022, her family filed a missing person’s report with the Parkersburg Police Department after being unable to get in touch with her.
Investigation
Gretchen Fleming left her phone and purse behind at The Front Row, another tavern she visited earlier that night, located at 4000 Emerson Avenue in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
When questioned by authorities, the man Gretchen was seen leaving with, Preston Pierce, said he gave her a ride, but that she departed at an unknown location. There is no indication that they knew each other before that night.
Surveillance footage from various cameras captured the man’s car traveling from the bar toward his home, about two miles away.
Police believe Gretchen left with the man and traveled back to his residence. By his own admission she was in his car that evening, though he says she didn’t make it to his house.
Authorities have since executed search warrants on his house, car, and electronic devices. The man, whose identity has not been publicly released, is currently considered a person of interest in Gretchen’s disappearance.
In June of 2023, Detective Zimmerman said Gretchen’s case is still being actively pursued by the Parkersburg police department, and that digital evidence continues to be analyzed.
Reward For Information Raised to $100,000
During a press conference in May 2023 it was announced that the reward for information in Gretchen’s case had been raised to $100,000.
“I really want to thank the community for coming together for our family. The passion, donations, just being there for us. Thank you,” Gretchen’s father said at a press conference on Thursday, May 25.
More Search Warrants Conducted
In November 2024, the Parkersburg Police Department, with help from the FBI, were once again searching a house in the 1300 block of Division Street related to the Gretchen Fleming case.
The man she was last seen with, Preston Pierce, was staying at the Division Street residence at the time. Pierce, a former law enforcement officer, no longer lives in the home.
In January of 2023, police searched his properties, vehicle, and belongings. He remains a person of interest in the case, but has never been charged.
Remains Found, Arrest Made
In September 2025, human remains were found in Wirt County, West Virginia. They were sent for genetic testing and came back as Gretchen’s.
On May 15, 2026, Preston D. Pierce was taken into custody in connection with Gretchen’s disappearance. She was last seen leaving My Way Lounge with him in the early morning hours of December 4, 2022.
Pierce is being charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping and concealment of a deceased human body. He is currently being held in the Asheville, North Carolina area pending an extradition hearing.
Appearance
Physical Description:
White female born on December 22, 1994. Gretchen has brown hair, brown eyes, stands 5’0 – 5’2 tall and weighs 100 – 120 pounds
Distinctive Physical Features:
No information available.
Clothing and accessories:
No information available.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming please contact the Parkersburg Police Department at (304) 424-8444, or lead Detective James Zimmerman at (304) 424-1072.
Resources & Further Information
Gretchen Fleming – Facebook
Parkersburg Police Department – Facebook
Bring Gretchen Home – Go Fund Me
News & Media Links
Missing West Virginia woman Gretchen Fleming last seen at bar with person of interest, police – Fox News 12/2022
West Virginia family looking for answers in disappearance of Gretchen Fleming – NBC News 12/2022
Police execute multiple search warrants in search for missing woman – WTAP 12/2022
Parkersburg Police have a person of interest in the case of missing woman, Gretchen Fleming – WTAP 12/2022
Police give update on Gretchen Fleming case – Look for this car in your surveillance footage – WTAP 12/2022
Gretchen Fleming’s Family Discusses Law Enforcement Outsourcing Evidence to Outside Agencies – WTAP 06/2023
Videos & Flyers
At what stage did her friend leave her , whose sedan did they use to go between the various lounges , was the older man already at the lounge when they arrived , or was he also at the other lounges that they were at ?.
Why did her family only report her missing after nine days , was she free – spirited ,and did things on the spur of the moment ? .
If the distance between the man s home and the lounge was only two miles , why was the area unknown ? . What area of the parking – lot was lit up , and was there any camera ‘ s inside any of the lounges ? . How long had she known her friend , or more of a colleague from work ? .
If there is no description , as stated of what she was wearing was anybody else interviewed at all . ? .
Did she have a favorite place that she liked to go to for alone – time ? .
Um didn’t you read this? That older gentleman is the prime suspect, period. Everything about this case has to do with her getting into his car. He is the key to finding out what happened to Gretchen.
The man who was a person of interest in this case goes by two names and is a former police officer according to WCSH tv’s website https://wchstv.com/amp/news/local/we-will-find-you-i-promise-gretchen-flemings-family-said-reward-raised-to-100000 .