DNA tests on human remains found near the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia confirmed that the remains belonged to Robert Leroy Kovack (24).
Robert Kovack went missing on September 19, 1998. Kovack had started his second year in the graduate architecture program at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was leaving Blacksburg on Friday evening to go home to Rivesville (W. Va.) for the weekend. On Sept 22, 1998, his car was found on US Route 19 near Fayetteville, W.Va. To read the best case description please check this article from the Collegiate Times.
The Roanoke Times mentioned that “authorities say evidence suggests Kovack may have fallen after being hit by a car.” This means that during the examination of the human remains they found evidence of trauma on the bones due to a collision. Was that trauma from an old injury? A quick check of his medical history will tell. If so, we have our answer. If not, then this raises further questions.
If Robert was the victim of a hit-and-run we need to re-check any reports of a possible hit-and-run that before were not connected to Kovack’s disappearance. If we do not have such reports then somewhere is a driver who did not report hitting and leaving behind a possibly injured victim. And that means that the investigation cannot be over yet.
When Kovack’s 1992 Geo Tracker was found Sgt. Brad Mankins of the West Virginia State Police said that there were no keys in the vehicle’s ignition. The driver’s side door was locked but the passenger’s side door was not. Now we know where the keys were. Lt. Michael Baylous with the State Police confirmed that Kovack’s wallet with identification was found near the remains, along with keys.
Did Kovack get out of his car, locked the door, and went for a walk to stretch his legs? Was that the moment that he was hit by a car? I will be following this case.
Rest in peace Robert Kovack.