Four grandparents driving from Buffalo, New York, were found dead on Saturday, August 2, 2025, after their car went off a steep hill during a trip to West Virginia.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office identified the individuals as Dr. Kishore Divan, 89, Asha Divan, 85, Shailesh Divan, 86, and Gita Divan, 84. They were discovered in their green Toyota Camry at 9:30 p.m. on August 2. The vehicle had fallen over a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road in Marshall County, West Virginia.
Sheriff Mike Dougherty stated that emergency personnel remained at the site for more than five hours. The group was traveling from Buffalo to visit Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a Hindu temple in Moundsville, West Virginia, but did not arrive as scheduled.
The last known sighting of the group was on Tuesday, July 29, at a Burger King on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Surveillance footage captured this visit, marking their final recorded credit card use. Later that day, a Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader detected their car moving south on Interstate 79.
The family had reserved accommodations at the Palace of Gold for July 29-30 but never checked in. Unable to reach them by phone, relatives reported them missing to authorities in Buffalo.
Dr. Kishore Divan and his wife, Asha, lived in East Amherst, New York, while Kishore’s brother, Shailesh, and his wife, Gita, were visiting from India. The crash occurred approximately five miles from their intended destination.
Dr. Divan was a retired physician who worked at Kaleida Health and played a key role in founding the Hindu Cultural Society of Western New York and the India Association of Buffalo.
Community members expressed surprise at the news. Lavanya Dokania, president of the India Association of Buffalo, said she consistently relied on Dr. Divan, describing him as extremely supportive and humble and noting his assistance to many students and families in need.
The search for the missing individuals involved law enforcement from multiple states. Officers in Marshall County worked with New York authorities to locate the family using digital phone tracking. Cell signals were detected early Wednesday morning in Moundsville and Wheeling, West Virginia, before communications ceased.
A breakthrough came when motorists on Big Wheeling Creek Road saw a damaged street sign and vehicle debris. This led officers to the accident site, where all four were found dead.
Dr. Vinod Chahal, leader of the Hindu Cultural Society of Western New York, expressed deep regret over the loss. Community figures highlighted Dr. Divan’s significant contributions as a founding member of their organization.
Dinesh Sukumaran, secretary of the Hindu Cultural Society, stated that the tragedy created a void that cannot be filled. He noted that Dr. Divan and his wife were instrumental in building their temple.
The Hindu Cultural Society released a statement saying the Divan family was a cornerstone of the Indian community in Western New York. Dr. Divan’s extensive involvement in the community was emphasized.
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, where the family planned to visit, issued a statement about the crash. Temple officials mentioned the challenging driving conditions in the area, especially for those unfamiliar with local roads. The facility provides travel instructions and advises against relying solely on GPS navigation.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, considering factors such as mechanical failure, driver disorientation, or road obstacles. The deceased were sent to a medical examiner for further analysis.
West Virginia roads, with their mountainous terrain and steep drops, can pose difficulties for drivers not accustomed to the area.
Kaleida Health, where Dr. Divan previously worked, confirmed his past role on their medical staff and offered condolences to his family in this challenging time.
