HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A man accused of murdering his ex-wife and her two teenage children in a Lesage home is currently being held without bond after waiving his preliminary hearing. Joshua Deel, 39, faces three counts of first-degree murder in a case that has drawn significant attention more than a month after the chilling discovery of the victims.
The lifeless bodies of Shawn Deel, 18-year-old Abigale Sloan, and 16-year-old Dekota Sloan were found on July 21, shortly following a 911 call made by Joshua Deel. According to authorities, he claimed that he and his family had been attacked. Responding deputies discovered Joshua injured and covered in blood near the front door of the home, while the three other individuals were found inside, all having suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite his initial role as an injured party, Joshua’s situation quickly shifted as investigators began to piece together the events of that morning.
Witnesses reported having heard an argument outside the residence shortly before the killings, raising suspicions about Deel’s account of events. Initial reports described a chaotic scene, and the investigation revealed inconsistencies in Deel’s statements. He claimed an unknown attacker had entered the home, yet detectives uncovered evidence of a confrontation between him and one of the victims the night before the stabbings.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities gathered witness testimonies and physical evidence from within the home, eventually leading to the murder charges against Deel. By the end of that day, Cabell County law enforcement had determined that there was enough evidence to warrant his arrest, and he was subsequently taken into custody while hospitalized for his injuries.
The impact of this tragedy resonated deeply within the local community, particularly among the students and staff at Huntington High School, where both Abigale and Dekota were known. Abigale had recently graduated, and Dekota was preparing for another academic year. Shawn Deel worked in the school district, further intertwining the family’s legacy with the community. School officials provided counseling resources, highlighting the widespread grief felt by classmates and faculty alike.
John Sloan, the father of Abigale and Dekota, described his children as having distinct personalities — Abigale, quiet in demeanor, and Dekota, a vibrant presence. Friends and family members have gathered to pay their respects through candlelight vigils and memorial services, reflecting on the deep sense of loss within their circles.
During a court appearance on July 30, Joshua Deel opted to waive the preliminary hearing, a move that expedited the case toward a grand jury. This decision does not imply guilt or acquiescence to the charges but allows prosecutors to present their evidence. Deel’s prior criminal history, including a 30-year sentence stemming from a 2011 robbery conviction, has resurfaced, prompting questions about his past and its relevance to the current case.
As the legal proceedings advance, the burden remains on the prosecution to substantiate their claims against Deel. Key details surrounding the motives and sequence of events leading to the tragic deaths are still pending, raising questions in the community and among law enforcement. For now, Deel remains jailed as the case progresses, with many in the community continuing to mourn the loss of Shawn, Abigale, and Dekota Sloan.