ADDITIONAL UPDATE: Body found on Apple Mountain identified as missing county teen

A body in the custody of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas, VA has been identified as missing Warren County teenager Sarah Rose Genari. Cause of death is initially believed to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound; however the investigation into Genari’s death continues.

A Thursday morning, May 10 media release from the Warren County’s Sheriff’s Office confirmed Miss Genari’s identity and the basic circumstance of the discovery of “human remains” at approximately 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 “during a search in the Granny Smith Road area of Apple Mountain.”

The WCSO release notes that “The investigation is ongoing” but adds that the department wanted “to ensure the community that this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety.”  Anyone with information pertaining to the case is asked to contact Investigator Emily Young at 540-635-7100 or at invyoung@warrencountysheriff.org.

“Sheriff McEathron and the Sheriff’s Office would like to give our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sarah,” the release states after a 12-day effort to locate the missing 16 year old and Warren County High School student.

Agencies assisting the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in the May 8 search were identified as “Dogs East, Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Prince William County Police Department, and the Virginia State Police.”

An April 27 Warren County Sheriff’s Office press release stated that Genari “walked off from her residence” around 10 p.m., Thursday, April 26. A multi-jurisdictional search was launched the following day in the Apple Mountain area. Vehicles from three jurisdictions – Warren, Prince William and Loudoun Counties were identified at a central location on Apple Mountain Friday afternoon, April 27.

According to a May 3 press release initial searches were conducted by K-9, ground, air, water and thermal imaging devices. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office release of May 3 states that the larger scale search involving 21 agencies (see below list) was suspended after five days at nightfall on May 1, 2018.

Royal Examiner obtained unconfirmed information on May 5 that immediate concerns were raised about Genari’s well-being because she left her parents’ home in possession of a handgun belonging to her father. Those as still unverified reports also involved fear that Genari might be contemplating suicide.

Genari was described as 5-feet, 7 inches tall, 106 pounds with hazel eyes and brown highlighted hair. Initially identified as 17, in subsequent releases she was stated as 16 years old.

In its May 3 press release the Warren County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to 21 agencies involved in the initial search for Genari. Several Apple Mountain residents reported having their doors knocked upon by uniformed officers informing them their property was being examined as part of the search for the missing teen.

Reports from residents of the Granny Smith Road area of Apple Mountain indicate Genari’s body was discovered in a dense thicket on a vacant lot.

Agencies involved in the initial, intensive five-day search for Genari included: the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Warren County Fire and Rescue, Linden Volunteer Fire Department, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue, Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association, Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group, TROT Search and Rescue, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Stephens City Volunteer Fire Rescue, Shenandoah Shores Fire Department, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, Front Royal Police Department, Search and Rescue Tracking Institute, Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, Piedmont Search and Rescue, Rivermont Fire Department, Dogs East, Fairfax County Police Department, and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.