All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

U.S. Marshals arrest murder suspect in Monongalia County

Vanessa Logan
Vanessa Logan

MORGANTOWN — The U.S. Marshals Service has arrested the woman suspected of murdering Spencer Zoller, 49, in Randolph County earlier this month.

Alex Neville, chief deputy U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia, says the United States Marshals Service and Mountain State Fugitive Task Force apprehended Vanessa Logan, 32, at a trailer park about 15 miles south of Morgantown late Thursday afternoon.

“Deputy U.S. Marshals were able to rapidly establish leads pointing them to Monongalia County, W.Va. in the hunt for the murder suspect,” according to a press release from the U.S. Marshals Service. “At approximately 3:30 p.m., marshals and task force officers established surveillance of a target address within the Healthy Heights Trailer Park, determining Logan was inhabiting the suspect dwelling.”

Logan was apprehended without incident.

Randolph County Sheriff Mark Brady told My Buckhannon that Zoller was found dead of a gunshot wound at a residence on Gum Road on Nov. 18.

Logan had allegedly fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement; however, Brady has said several other individuals were in the residence and spoke with law enforcement.

“Logan was charged with first degree murder on Nov. 18 in Randolph County,” the release notes.

The sheriff’s office believes the shooting was drug-related, according to a previous My Buckhannon story.

Logan’s arrest comes just two days after Randolph County deputies arrested another man, Christopher Warren Koch, 32, of Elkins for accessory after the fact, a felony.

Koch allegedly aided Logan as she evaded law enforcement.

“Koch was arrested on a felony charge of accessory after the fact relating to the homicide investigation of Spencer Zoller,” a press release from Brady’s office states. “During the investigation it was determined that Christopher Koch was instrumental in assisting the murder suspect, Vanessa Logan, in evading law enforcement.”

The release goes on to say that Koch allegedly “provided transportation” to Logan and “assisted her in locating a place to stay to avoid arrest.”

“In addition, [Koch] helped her secure items to change her personal appearance in an effort to further avoid detection,” according to the release. “He also was trying to provide financial support to Vanessa Logan while a fugitive.”

After Logan’s arrest, she was handed over to local authorities and taken before a magistrate, according to the press release.

“The United States Marshals Service is pleased we were able to apprehend this dangerous fugitive in such a short time frame,” Neville says in the release. “The community is now safer than it was with her on the run and justice may now be served.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.

Ketha Pearl Simmons

Ketha Pearl Simmons, 83, of French Creek, died at home on June 30, 2025, is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and will be remembered at a Frenchton Community Church service.
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council to meet July 8

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the center, focusing on career and technical education programs.

Man faces new charge related to stolen UTV from Barbour County

Travis Medina, 41, of Buckhannon, faces a new charge of receiving or transferring stolen goods after authorities found a UTV reportedly stolen from Barbour County.

River Fest returns in August with free food, live music and paddling for the whole community

River Fest will return August 23 with free food, live music, beginner kayaking, and community activities for all ages, aiming to attract 200 attendees and celebrate the Buckhannon River in memory of its founder, April Keating.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: June 30 – July 4, 2025

Buckhannon has announced upcoming public meetings, July 4th holiday closures, a community celebration and fireworks, yard waste collection dates, and information on utility payments and city service requests available online.