The below is a release from Kentucky State Police:
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (March 18, 2024) – Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post received a call of a missing person on March 17, 2024, at 2:37 p.m. The family of Vanessa Crum, 52 years old of Van Lear, became concerned when she did not report to work. A trooper from Post 9 contacted the family and began the investigation.
A ping of Crum’s cell phone enabled investigators to obtain a potential location. Pikeville Police Department was notified and began to assist with the investigation. An officer with Pikeville Police Department located Crum’s vehicle. The initial investigation indicated Vanessa Crum was operating a 2023 Nissan Rogue on US 23, when Crum’s vehicle exited the roadway, went over an embankment, and became submerged into the Levisa Fork River. Crum was pronounced deceased on scene by the Pike County Coroner’s Office.
Detective Mahala Lewis is investigating and was assisted on scene by Kentucky State Police Post 9 personnel, Pikeville Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Pike County Emergency Management.