BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. — A tragic discovery in Buchanan County has left two families grieving and a community searching for answers after authorities confirmed that two men were found dead inside an abandoned drift mine earlier this week.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as 49-year-old Jerry Chambers Jr., of Jewell Ridge, Virginia, and 53-year-old Jerry Orville Jenks, of Paynesville, West Virginia.
Deputies say they were alerted after the men had been reported missing by family members who grew concerned when they did not return home. Search crews were dispatched to the remote area, and after hours of combing through rugged terrain, they entered the drift mine and made the grim discovery.
Emergency personnel on scene confirmed that both Chambers and Jenks were deceased. The mine, according to officials, had long been abandoned and was not considered safe for entry.
“The site is extremely dangerous, with poor ventilation and unstable conditions,” authorities explained. “Abandoned mines are not monitored or maintained, and entering them puts lives at serious risk.”
The bodies of both men have been sent to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies. While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, investigators believe toxic gases or oxygen depletion inside the mine may have played a role.
The Virginia Department of Energy is working alongside the sheriff’s office to test the air quality and assess potential hazards at the site.
“These cases are complex because of the unstable environment inside abandoned mines,” one official said. “Our goal is to understand exactly what happened so we can prevent future tragedies.”
News of the men’s deaths has reverberated across communities in both Virginia and West Virginia, where mining has long been a way of life.
Chambers, 49, was described as a hardworking man with deep roots in Jewell Ridge. Jenks, 53, was remembered in Paynesville as a loyal friend and family man who often helped others in need.
“This is devastating,” one resident told reporters. “Everyone around here knows the risks of the old mines, but when tragedy strikes close to home, it’s heartbreaking.”
In the wake of the tragedy, local and state officials are renewing warnings about the dangers of abandoned coal mines. Virginia has hundreds of inactive mine sites, many of which have been sealed but still pose hazards such as:
- Toxic gases (carbon monoxide, methane, and low oxygen levels)
- Cave-ins or falling debris due to unstable ground
- Flooding and hidden shafts that can trap individuals
“These sites are not safe for exploration or entry under any circumstances,” the sheriff’s office stressed in a statement. “We urge residents and visitors to stay away for their own safety.”
Coal mining shaped much of Buchanan County’s economy and culture, but it also left behind a legacy of abandoned mines across the region. While once considered the lifeblood of Appalachian communities, many of these sites now stand as dangerous reminders of the past.
Officials say tragedies like this underscore the importance of continued monitoring and public awareness campaigns.
As of now, no foul play is suspected, but the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports and autopsy results to confirm the cause of death.
The families of Chambers and Jenks are being supported by loved ones as they prepare to lay them to rest. Community members say they plan to organize a memorial in the coming days.
“This is a painful loss for both Virginia and West Virginia communities,” one local pastor said. “All we can do now is pray for comfort and strength for their families.”
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