MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A murder suspect remains at-large as Monongalia County Sheriff’s officials continue their search.
Chance Austin Williams, 23, of Morgantown, is accused of killing Jamey Lynn Corbin, 47, of Fairmont. Corbin’s body was found by deputies in a single-car accident at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday. Deputies found the vehicle at the intersection of Greenbag Road and Lucky Lane where they determined that Corbin was the driver of the vehicle but the accident did not cause his death.
“It appears that Corbin, his injuries are not consistent with a motor vehicle accident,” said Sheriff Perry Palmer on the investigation. “So our detectives determined that another person was in the vehicle when Corbin died, that’s the reasoning we’re looking for Chance Austin Williams,” he said.
According to Palmer and Monongalia County Sheriff’s Detective Jonathan Friend, Williams is believed to have been involved in the wreck and later fled the scene on foot. This was determined based on evidence found at the accident and interviews with those who knew both Williams and Corbin.
“The evidence that we located, both on the scene as well as interviews that we conducted, with friends and family after we had found the body, lead us to believe that Mr. Williams was involved in the incident,” said Friend.
Williams was last seen on foot in the area of White Avenue and Marillia Park Tuesday, not far away from his reported residence. As a precaution, three Monongalia County Schools near that area were placed on lockdown.
While the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department urges public caution, both Sheriff Palmer and Detective Friend are emphasizing that there is no immediate danger to anyone in the Morgantown Area.
“This was definitely just an isolated domestic incident between two individuals,” said Friend. “We didn’t believe there was any danger to the public and that it’s just isolated, so we’re just continuing to seek his location,” he said.
According to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department, Chance Austin Williams is a white male who is 5’9″ that weighs approximately 150 lbs. He has two tattoos, one on his right shoulder and one on his hand with a three-dot design. Morgantown Area residents who spot Williams is asked to call 911 or the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.
“The public has always been good to us as far as any leads worth reporting,” said Sheriff Palmer. “Regardless of if you think it may lead to something or not, we’ll take all leads and we’ll follow up on them, to get him apprehended as soon as possible,” he said.
Residents can call the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department at 304-291-7260.