K9 Hero Award
Natasha "Alex" Carter and her mother were last seen on August 8, 2020. Following their disappearance, Alex was reported missing by her father, Rick Lafferty. Initially, it was believed that Susan Carter had fled with Alex to avoid a custody dispute. Law enforcement authorities investigated a man named Larry Webb, with whom Susan was residing at the time of their disappearance. Fast forward nearly two decades, in October 2023, a search warrant executed at Larry Webb's residence uncovered DNA belonging to Alex Carter on a bullet found embedded in a wall. Subsequently, Larry was indicted for the murder of Alex Carter. In April 2024, Larry Webb ultimately confessed to the murders of both Susan and Alex Carter, providing the prosecuting office and state police with information regarding the location of their remains. However, after two days of excavation in the backyard of Larry Webb's home, the Beckley Police Department, state police, and the FBI found no evidence.
In mid-April 2024, our organization was contacted by the Beckley Police Department and the FBI office in Pittsburgh for help with a case concerning a missing child and her mother. After a thorough evaluation that involved discussions with the FBI out of the Pittsburgh office, they reviewed our certifications and references to confirm our qualifications for the mission. Once we received approval and recognition of our skills, we were invited to the excavation site where search efforts had been ongoing.
Upon reaching the site, we quickly devised a strategic plan for deploying our canines. Understanding the significance of the task, we brought along two highly trained dogs, K9 Theo and K9 Charlee. We chose to have each dog team search the area individually, allowing them to concentrate fully without any distractions. Each canine thoroughly searched the area before the next team was allowed to stepped in, which enhanced the effectiveness of our search and kept the previous team's findings confidential to avoid compromising the results.
During the search, both dogs indicated a specific spot that required further investigation. Motivated by their findings, the excavation team began digging in the area where the dogs had alerted. They discovered a grave containing human remains, which forensic analysis later confirmed belonged to Susan Carter and her daughter, Natasha Alex Carter. Although this discovery was tragic, it provided much-needed answers and hopefully closure for the family and community after over twenty years of uncertainty.
In recognition of their exceptional work and commitment, K9 Theo and K9 Charlee were honored with the prestigious 2024 K9 Hero Award. This award was presented by the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, emphasizing the crucial role that working dogs play in vital search and recovery operations and acknowledging the emotional impact of their contributions in this heartbreaking case. Their efforts showcased the effectiveness of canine teams in such critical situations.
