MARSHALL COUNTY, WV — A heartbreaking outcome has emerged from an intensive missing persons investigation. On the evening of Saturday, August 2, 2025, Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed that four individuals who had been reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found deceased following a single-vehicle crash in a remote part of the county.
The victims have been identified as:
- Dr. Kishore Divan
- Mrs. Asha Divan
- Mr. Shailesh Divan
- Mrs. Gita Divan
According to the sheriff’s office, the group was traveling together when their vehicle left the roadway and went down a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, a rural area known for its winding curves and dense tree cover. The crash site was discovered at approximately 9:30 PM on Saturday night, after hours of coordinated search efforts between local authorities and out-of-state law enforcement.
Upon locating the vehicle, first responders worked tirelessly for more than five hours at the scene. Due to the rugged terrain and depth of the embankment, recovery operations were both physically and emotionally challenging. Tragically, all four occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene or en route to medical facilities.
Sheriff Mike Dougherty extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and the greater Buffalo community:
“This is an unspeakable tragedy for the loved ones of Dr. Kishore Divan, Mrs. Asha Divan, Mr. Shailesh Divan, and Mrs. Gita Divan. We cannot begin to understand the pain their families are experiencing, but we share in their grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”
Community in Mourning
The Divan family was well known within the Buffalo area for their service, kindness, and dedication to others.
- Dr. Kishore Divan was a respected physician whose decades of work in family medicine earned him admiration across generations of patients.
- Mrs. Asha Divan, his devoted wife, was known for her gracious hospitality and community involvement.
- Mr. Shailesh Divan and Mrs. Gita Divan, close relatives, were beloved figures in the local Indian-American community, remembered for their warmth, faith, and generosity.
Their sudden passing has shocked the community. Friends and neighbors in Buffalo have begun to organize memorial events and support gatherings to honor their memory. Vigils, prayer services, and other tributes are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from accident reconstruction experts and other partnering agencies. While no foul play is suspected at this time, the investigation aims to determine what factors may have led to the tragic incident — whether environmental, mechanical, or medical.
Sheriff Dougherty noted that further information will be released upon completion of the investigation. The priority remains to provide answers to the grieving families and ensure that all circumstances surrounding the accident are fully understood.
Anyone with information regarding the victims’ travel route or timeline is encouraged to contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. The department thanks the public for its cooperation and compassion throughout the search and recovery process.
The entire region mourns alongside the families of Dr. Kishore Divan, Mrs. Asha Divan, Mr. Shailesh Divan, and Mrs. Gita Divan—four lives tragically lost, but whose legacies of love, service, and kindness will not be forgotten.
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