Riley Crossman Cause of Death: What We Know So Far

Riley Crossman was a 15-year-old girl from West Virginia who went missing on May 8, 2019. Her body was found a week later on a steep cliff near the top of a mountain. Her mother’s boyfriend, Andy McCauley, was charged with her murder. Here is what we know so far about the tragic case of Riley Crossman.

The Disappearance

Riley Crossman was last seen alive on May 7, 2019, at her home in Berkeley Springs. She texted her boyfriend that night, saying “I’m scared, babe” and indicating that her mother’s boyfriend, Andy McCauley, had entered her room. This would be the last message she ever sent, according to People.

The next morning, Riley’s mother, Chantel Oakley, noticed that Riley was not in her bed and assumed she had left for school early. She later learned that Riley never showed up at school that day and reported her missing to the police.

A massive search effort was launched to find Riley, involving hundreds of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, and K-9 units. Flyers with Riley’s picture and description were distributed across the state and beyond.

The Discovery

On May 16, 2019, Riley’s body was found over an embankment near Tuscarora Pike in Berkeley County. The location was about 20 miles away from her home. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and partly skeletonized. A contractor-grade trash bag, a pair of long pants, a shirt with a Native American print, and one shoe were found with the body. The shoe was untied and the pants were unzipped and unbuttoned. The underwear appeared to have been ripped or torn.

The state Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Riley Crossman using dental records. The office also determined the cause of death as homicidal violence, but could not rule an exact cause because of decomposition, according to WV MetroNews.

The Suspect

Andy McCauley, 43, was arrested on May 16, 2019, the same day Riley’s body was found. He was charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a body, and death of a child by child abuse. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

McCauley was the boyfriend of Riley’s mother, Chantel Oakley. He had lived with them for about six months before Riley’s disappearance. He worked as a construction worker for Ruark Enterprises.

Prosecutors alleged that McCauley went into Riley’s bedroom on the night of May 7, 2019, and suffocated her with a pillow. DNA evidence proved that Riley’s blood and saliva were discovered on that pillow. No cause of death was determined.

Prosecutors also presented evidence that linked McCauley to the location where Riley’s body was dumped. They said that physical evidence such as drywall mud and sheet-metal screws were found both in McCauley’s work truck and at the site where Riley’s body had been dumped. They also said that cadaver dogs signaled that a dead body had recently been in McCauley’s truck bed.

Prosecutors also showed surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony that placed McCauley’s truck along the route from Berkeley Springs to Tuscarora Pike on May 8, 2019. They also said that McCauley called Riley’s cellphone three times between 3 and 4 a.m. on May 7, 2019, using *67 to block his number.

Prosecutors did not disclose a specific motive for the killing.

The Trial

McCauley’s trial began on September 27, 2021, in Morgan County Circuit Court. The trial lasted for seven days and involved more than 40 witnesses and hundreds of exhibits.

On October 6, 2021, the jury found McCauley guilty of all charges after deliberating for less than two hours. He faces life in prison without parole.

Riley’s family and friends expressed relief and gratitude after the verdict. They remembered Riley as a sweet and beautiful girl who loved animals and music.

Riley’s father Lance Crossman said he hoped McCauley would “rot in hell” for what he did to his daughter.

Riley’s mother Chantel Oakley said she hoped McCauley would never see the light of day again.

Doms Desk

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