Man charged with three counts of murder after stabbing kills mother, two children in Lesage
UPDATE 7/22/26 @ 1:00 A.M.
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Cabell County man accused of killing a mother and her two children is in jail after being arraigned at a local hospital Tuesday night.
Joshua Deel, 39, is facing three counts of first-degree murder following a stabbing that killed three people at a Lesage residence early Tuesday, according to the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office.
The three people killed were identified as Shawn Deel, 39; her daughter Abigale Sloan, 18; and her son Dekota Sloan, 16.
Deputies responded to the 200 block of Hickory Grove Road just before 5 a.m. Tuesday morning for reports of a stabbing. The location is in the area of Hardesty Lane near 9 Mile Road, off of Route 2.
Upon arrival, deputies found three people dead from apparent stab wounds. A fourth person, Joshua Deel, was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center by Cabell County EMS, accompanied by law enforcement, for injuries described as superficial wounds.
Sheriff Doug Adams said the incident was isolated to the residence and there is no threat to the public.
Joshua Deel is set to appear in court on July 30.
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UPDATE 7/21/26 @ 8:54 P.M.
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A Cabell County man will face three counts of first-degree murder following a stabbing that killed three people at a Lesage residence early Tuesday, according to the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the 200 block of Hickory Grove Road just before 5 a.m. for reports of a stabbing. The location is in the area of Hardesty Lane near 9 Mile Road, off of Route 2.
Upon arrival, deputies found three people dead from apparent stab wounds. A fourth person was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center by Cabell County EMS, accompanied by law enforcement, for injuries described as superficial wounds. That person was listed in stable condition.
The three people killed were identified as Shawn Deel, 39; her daughter Abigale Sloan, 18; and her son Dekota Sloan, 16.
The fourth individual was identified as Joshua Deel, 39. After investigators from the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police worked throughout the day and consulted with Cabell County Prosecutor Jason Spears, authorities said Joshua Deel will be charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Once released from the hospital, Deel will be taken into custody and brought before a magistrate for arraignment, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Doug Adams said the incident was isolated to the residence and there is no threat to the public.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s Office said no further details will be released as the investigation remains active.
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ORIGINAL STORY 7/21/26
CABELL COUNTY, W.Va . (WSAZ) -- Deputies are at the scene of a stabbing where three people have died, according to Cabell County Sheriff Doug Adams.
The call came in just before 5 a.m. Tuesday for reports of a stabbing along the 200 block of Hickory Grove Road in Lesage.
This is in the area of Hardesty Lane near 9 Mile Road, off of Route 2.
Sheriff Adams says four people were involved in the stabbing, and it was an isolated incident at a residence with no threat to the public.
He also says three people have died, including two women and one man.
An additional victim was also taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in stable condition, according to Sheriff Adams.
He says nobody has been taken into custody at this time.
The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, Cabell County EMS, and Ohio River Road Volunteer Fire Department are at the scene.
West Virginia State Police is also assisting in the investigation.
This is a developing story.
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