No, cannibalism is illegal in West Virginia under state statutes prohibiting murder, abuse of a corpse, and public health violations. West Virginia Code § 61-2-14 criminalizes homicide, while § 61-11-14 addresses corpse abuse, both encompassing acts of consumption. Local health departments, per W.Va. 64 CSR 56, enforce compliance with public safety standards, and recent 2026 legislative proposals aim to strengthen penalties for non-consensual acts.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in West Virginia
- Homicide Prohibitions: W.Va. Code § 61-2-14 classifies intentional killing as first-degree murder, punishable by life imprisonment or death, directly encompassing cannibalistic acts tied to homicide.
- Corpse Abuse Statutes: W.Va. Code § 61-11-14 criminalizes desecration or mutilation of human remains, including consumption, with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.
- Public Health Enforcement: The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, via 64 CSR 56, monitors compliance with sanitary codes, mandating immediate reporting of suspicious activities to local law enforcement or the State Medical Examiner.