West Virginia Mother Charged With First-Degree Murder in Daughter’s Death

Staci Wind, 50, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her daughter, 26-year-old Ayla Wind.

According to the West Virginia State Police, Wind was arrested on May 23, 2026, at a residence on Riverside Drive in Richwood.

Discovery of Remains

The investigation began on May 22, 2026, when the Richwood Detachment of the West Virginia State Police responded to reports of human remains. Troopers discovered the remains in a shallow grave at Summit Lake in Greenbrier County.

Authorities determined the remains belonged to Ayla Wind. State police officials stated that It’s believed the victim had been burned. A phone matching the description of Ayla Wind’s device was also recovered at the scene.

The investigation involved assistance from the West Virginia State Police Crime Unit, the Richwood Police Department, the National Forest Service, and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

Investigation Timeline

On May 19, 2026, Staci Wind filed a missing person’s report for her daughter with the Richwood Police Department.

Investigators reviewed phone records, which indicated that Ayla Wind had been in contact with her mother. One text message stated that she was getting snacks at a gas station.

According to the West Virginia State Police, the family was originally from Utah and had plans to move back to that state. Ayla Wind was scheduled to pick up a rental car on May 18, 2026.

Following the discovery of the remains and the subsequent investigation, Staci Wind was taken into custody and transported to the Central Regional Jail to await arraignment.

The cause of death for Ayla Wind remains under investigation.