McDowell deputies seek contact with woman in ongoing investigation

Deputies in McDowell County asked residents Tuesday to help them contact 27-year-old Hannah C. Graham, a woman authorities described as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. The sheriff’s office said Graham is from the Jolo area and may now be living in Virginia, prompting investigators to widen their reach beyond the county line.

The public appeal gave one clear instruction: anyone who knows Graham’s whereabouts, or Graham herself, should call the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 304-436-8523. Authorities did not release additional details about the underlying investigation, leaving the request focused on locating Graham rather than explaining the full scope of the case.

That limited disclosure makes the appeal especially important for local residents who may have information through family ties, work connections or daily travel across the West Virginia-Virginia border. In a county as small and close-knit as McDowell, investigators often rely on people who recognize a name, a vehicle or a recent move between communities.

McDowell County’s geography also helps explain the outreach. Welch, the county seat and largest city, serves as the center for county offices, while Jolo remains a small unincorporated community with deep local ties. The sheriff’s office is one of several public agencies based in Welch, and the county commission directory lists its contact information as 304-436-8523, matching the number released in the appeal.

The population context underscores why even a narrow request can have broad value. McDowell County had 19,111 residents in the 2020 census, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population fell to 16,878 in 2025. The county also has a relatively older population, with 22.9 percent of residents age 65 or older, and a median owner-occupied home value of $50,000 in 2020-2024 estimates.

For McDowell residents, the message from deputies was straightforward: if you have information on where Graham is now, or if you are Graham, the sheriff’s office wants to hear from you. With no further details released, the case remains centered on making contact and moving the investigation forward.