West Virginia Mom Arrested After Reporting Daughter Missing; Charred Remains Found Days Before Move

In a chilling twist, a Richwood mother has been charged with the murder of her daughter after human remains believed to be the victim were discovered in Greenbrier County, authorities said.

According to West Virginia State Police (WVSP), 50-year-old Staci Wind of Richwood reported her daughter, 26-year-old Ayla Wind, missing to the Richwood Police Department on May 18.

The family, originally from Utah, had plans of moving back, and the victim was scheduled to pick up a rental car on May 18.

Four days later, on May 22, troopers responded to Summit Lake in Greenbrier County after receiving a report of human remains.

During the investigation, authorities said they discovered a shallow grave containing a deceased individual. Preliminary reports indicated that Ayla Wind, who was a mother of a toddler, was burned to death.

Ayla Wind's phone was discovered at the scene. Her phone records showed she had been in contact with her mother, including a text message saying she was stopping at a gas station to get snacks, according to WVSP. The victim’s family initially reported that she had gone camping and did not come back.

On May 23, investigators arrested Staci Wind at a residence on Riverside Drive in Richwood and charged her with her daughter’s murder. She was booked into Central Regional Jail, according to The AWARE Foundation, Inc., an organization that tracks missing, endangered, and murdered persons.

Wind’s bail was denied, according to jail records.

The WVSP Crime Unit, the Richwood Police Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) assisted troopers in the investigation.

No further details have been released as investigators continue to examine the case.

Before Ayla Wind's remains were discovered, her sister, Courtney Juan, shared a Facebook post expressing concern over her sudden disappearance. Juan said Ayla had left with someone the family did not know and told relatives she was going to a lake with friends, promising to check in the following day. According to Juan, that behavior was highly unusual, as Ayla Wind regularly stayed in contact with her son, her partner, and their mother.

“She would never go a day without checking in with her son or partner. She always texted my mom an update,” Juan wrote.

Juan also said Ayla Wind was scheduled to pick up a rental car but never arrived, prompting additional concern from family members. She urged anyone with information about Ayla Wind's whereabouts or access to her social media accounts to contact her.

Ayla’s family is now focused on bringing her ashes home, supporting their father as he prepares to sell the family’s West Virginia home, and ensuring loved ones can gather to honor her memory.

To help cover related expenses, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign. As of publication, the fundraiser had raised $6,213 toward its $9,000 goal.