Remains of Missing Women Found, Investigations Ongoing in Indiana, West Virginia

The remains of Shannon Orton, a woman who disappeared from Hobart, Indiana, in the summer of 2020, were recently discovered in Portage, prompting an investigation into her death with multiple suspects identified. Portage police are actively seeking information from the public regarding Orton's disappearance and her remains. In another case, Christa Merrill's remains were found on January 29 in West Virginia, identified as a woman who went missing in August 2024. The remains were located on the property of registered sex offender Andrew Debolt, who has a history of violent crimes and is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. The investigation into Merrill's death is ongoing, with authorities yet to determine the cause of death. Both cases highlight the ongoing issues of missing persons and violent crime in the respective areas.