A West Virginia man who initially claimed he had been stabbed during a brutal attack that left his ex-wife and her two teenage children dead is now accused of carrying out the killings himself.
Joshua Deel, 39, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his ex-wife, Shawn Deel, 39, her daughter, Abigale Sloan, 18, and her son, Dekota Sloan, 16, according to the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office.
The horrifying scene unfolded before dawn on July 21 inside a home in Lesage.
Authorities said Joshua called 911 at 4:57 a.m. and reported that he and his family had been “attacked and stabbed,” according to a criminal complaint.
When deputies arrived, they were met with a gruesome and chaotic scene.
Detective Willis Hash wrote that there was “blood everywhere” throughout the home.
Joshua was the first person deputies encountered. He was reportedly lying face down in the living room and covered in blood.
Shawn, Abigale and Dekota were found in separate areas of the residence, each suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Emergency responders detected a faint pulse on Abigale and attempted lifesaving measures, but she could not be saved. All three victims were pronounced dead by the time medical crews arrived.
Joshua was taken to a hospital for treatment and was initially considered another victim in the attack.
However, investigators said his story quickly began to raise questions.
While Joshua was at the hospital, a neighbor contacted the sheriff’s office and reported hearing a loud argument between Joshua and a woman shortly before the 911 call.
When detectives confronted him with that information, Joshua allegedly denied that any verbal altercation had taken place during the night or early morning.
Investigators also learned about another disturbing incident that allegedly happened just hours before the fatal stabbings.
According to the complaint, Joshua was caught sliding a camera underneath a woman’s door in an apparent attempt to photograph her without her knowledge.
He initially denied doing so but later allegedly admitted it, authorities said.
Joshua reportedly told investigators that the camera incident sparked a verbal confrontation with another person inside the home. That individual was not identified in the complaint.
He allegedly said he promised the person that it would never happen again and then went to bed.
Joshua claimed he later woke up to use the bathroom and was suddenly attacked.
He told investigators that he tried to rescue the other three people in the house but was unable to save them.
Joshua also claimed he fought with a masked intruder after finding the person on top of one of the female victims. He said that struggle was the source of the yelling heard by neighbors.
Investigators later found the suspected weapon on the home’s front porch.
Shawn and her children had continued living at the residence following her separation from Joshua, according to the complaint.
Joshua is now being held without bail as he faces three first-degree murder charges.
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