How to Report Information to Pikeville KSP Post at 606-433-7711

Kentucky State Police (KSP) have confirmed that a missing West Virginia woman has been located safe, ending a multi-day search in eastern Kentucky.

Bariah Cooley, 15, from Summersville, West Virginia, was reported missing after she was last seen on April 22, 2026, walking along the shoulder of U.S. Highway 119 near a 7-Eleven gas station heading toward Pikeville, Kentucky. Authorities described her as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds and wearing a Batman shirt with blue basketball-style shorts at the time of her disappearance.

Search Efforts and Resolution

KSP Post 9, which serves Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike counties, led the search for Cooley. Troopers issued a public appeal for information on April 27, urging anyone with details about her whereabouts to contact the Pikeville post at (606) 433-7711.

By the afternoon of April 28, KSP officials updated local media to confirm that Cooley had been found safe. No further details about her condition or the circumstances of her recovery were released.

Public Response and Safety Reminders

The case drew attention to the risks faced by missing individuals in rural Appalachian communities, where limited infrastructure and vast terrain can complicate search operations. While Cooley’s safe recovery brings relief, local law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of reporting missing persons promptly and providing detailed descriptions to aid investigations.

KSP Post 9, located at 3499 North Mayo Trail in Pikeville, remains the primary point of contact for non-emergency reports in the region. Residents are encouraged to save the post’s non-emergency number, (606) 433-7711, for future incidents requiring police assistance.

For emergencies, authorities remind the public to dial 911 immediately.