Daniel Dale Long, 37, an Army veteran, was shot to death inside his family’s home on Cemetery Hill Drive near Elkview, West Virginia. The family was discovered on December 13, 2020, but investigators and later testimony established the killings occurred on December 9. Long and his wife, Risa Mae Saunders-Long, were found dead in their bed, each shot in the head. Two children were also killed: 12-year-old Gage Ripley was found near the bed, and 3-year-old Jameson Long was discovered partially beneath his crib with a blanket over him; both had sustained gunshot wounds to the head.

Investigators focused on Saunders-Long’s teenage son and Long’s stepson, Gavin Smith, then 16; he was taken into custody along with his 17-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Lynn Walker. Prosecutors said the murders were carried out so Smith could avoid household restrictions and remain with Walker, who was communicating with him by video call during the shootings. Walker later pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was sentenced to 10 years; Smith was tried as an adult, convicted of multiple counts including first-degree murder and a firearm offense, and received consecutive sentences including life terms and additional years.

Does anyone have information about Daniel Long or the family that could shed light on what led up to this tragedy?