OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — The Ohio County couple accused of burying a body in their backyard has entered guilty pleas as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Christopher and Sarah Riley appeared in court and admitted guilt to burying the body of Andrew Downs at a home on Leopold Lane near the Elm Grove section of Wheeling. Prosecutors say the burial took place between June 20 and June 21, 2021 at the residence located at 316 Leopold Lane.
Authorities say the death occurred in June 2021, likely from a drug overdose. The remains were discovered on January 2, 2023, after law enforcement received information that Downs’s body might be buried at that location.
Details of the plea agreement were entered into the record, though sentencing has been scheduled for a later date.
The case drew widespread attention after investigators discovered the body buried in the couple’s backyard. Further details regarding sentencing are expected once a date is set by the court.
