In a chilling discovery, authorities may have uncovered the remains of Robert Leroy Kovack, a Rivesville native who mysteriously vanished nearly 18 years ago. The discovery was made on Thursday beneath the towering New River Gorge Bridge, where a work crew stumbled upon human skeletal remains while preparing for upcoming bridge repairs, according to a statement released by Sgt. K.D. Horrocks of the West Virginia State Police.
The skeletal remains were found approximately 650-700 feet beneath the iconic bridge, in an area largely untouched by human activity. Lt. Michael Baylous, also with the State Police, confirmed that personal items belonging to Kovack, including his wallet with identification and a set of keys, were found near the remains, adding weight to the possibility that they could be those of the missing man.
“The area is remote, overgrown, and difficult to access,” Baylous noted, emphasizing that the spot is rarely, if ever, visited by people.
Robert Leroy Kovack, 24 at the time of his disappearance, was a graduate student at Virginia Tech, pursuing a degree in architecture. He was last seen on September 18, 1998, as he prepared to return home to attend a West Virginia University football game. His sudden disappearance sparked widespread concern, but despite extensive searches, no trace of him was found—until now.
Kovack’s vehicle, a Geo Tracker, was discovered abandoned and out of gas just days after he went missing, near the intersection of U.S. 19 and Lansing Road, north of the New River Gorge Bridge. This location, eerily close to where the remains were found, had been a focal point in the initial investigation.
The remains are now set to be processed for positive identification, with experts from the Smithsonian Institution expected to be consulted as the investigation continues. While the discovery marks a significant development in the cold case, Lt. Baylous cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the cause of death, stating that it is too early to determine whether foul play was involved.
“This area is now a crime scene,” Baylous said. “We’ll be looking for any clues that might help us piece together what happened that night 18 years ago. From there, we’ll see where the evidence takes us.”
The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. As the search for answers continues, the hope is that this long-awaited discovery might finally bring closure to a mystery that has haunted the community for nearly two decades.