Virginia man accused of killing wife and fleeing with their kids

RIDGEWAY, Va. (TCN) — Authorities recently arrested a man on suspicion of killing his 22-year-old wife amid an argument and driving off with their two children.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, on the afternoon of July 22, deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim on Meeks Road in front of a house. At the scene, authorities found 68-year-old William Morey deceased and learned he had traveled to the area to check on Mandy Coleman.

The sheriff’s office entered the home and found Coleman deceased with a single gunshot wound. Investigators identified Mandy Coleman’s husband, Joshua Coleman, as the primary suspect.

Deputies said they “became concerned for the welfare of two small children” who allegedly lived in the residence. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., a deputy performed a traffic stop on Joshua Coleman’s vehicle and discovered he was armed with a handgun and an AR-15 rifle. Officials took him into custody and located the two children in the car unharmed.

Per a criminal complaint reviewed by WDBJ-TV, Coleman reportedly admitted to killing his wife and Morey. He allegedly said he got into an argument with his wife and accused her of cheating before retrieving a gun and shooting her in the head.

Coleman reportedly told officials he left the residence with his two children, and then he killed Morey because he knew he was already going to jail.

Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis told WDBJ that Morey is not related to the suspect or his wife, but he didn’t disclose their relationship.

Coleman was booked into the Henry County Jail without bond and faces charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting from an occupied vehicle, and child abuse and neglect.

In a statement, Davis said, “This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation that has deeply affected two families and our entire community. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. I want to commend our deputies and our partner agencies for their swift and coordinated response, which led to the safe recovery of the children and the apprehension of the suspect. We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and protecting the innocent.”

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