Body Found by Ohio River Confirmed to be Missing Teen; Arrest Made

A gruesome discovery made this weekend will now lead to a murder charge.

The body of a missing teenager from Kanawha County was found along the banks of the Ohio River in Meigs County.

Ericka Brown, 16, had been missing for several weeks.

Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood confirms the girl's body was found Saturday, wrapped in a clear tarp, tied up and strapped to a cinder block. Brown was along the riverbank.

Wood also says Ernest Roach, 36, of Racine, Ohio, has been arrested and will be formally charged Tuesday with Brown's murder. Roach was arrested by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers.

Roach is already behind bars at South Central Regional Jail in Kanawha County.

Police sources say Roach was picked up early Saturday morning and admitted to killing the girl.

There's no word yet on a motive or whether the suspect and victim knew each other.

On Aug. 10, Brown's parents discovered her missing from their home in Cross Lanes, and immediately called 911.

It was believed she left the house on her own, but they were worried she may be in danger.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been involved in the investigation, including the U.S. Marshals Service.

Ericka was a student at Nitro High School.

School officials say grief counselors will be on hand Tuesday for her classmates.