Joe Williams, a 34-year-old White man, was killed late on September 29, 2016, inside a home on Elaine Drive in Rand, West Virginia. Williams had recently moved in with his fiancée, Lisa Ratliff, and her uncle, Keith Jones. The night was Jones’ birthday and alcohol had been consumed during the day as part of the celebration. An argument developed between Williams and Jones; Ratliff stepped out of the room shortly before a gunshot was heard. When she returned, Williams had been shot in the head at very close range.

Police say Jones was at the scene and led troopers to the revolver. He later admitted to shooting Williams, telling investigators Williams made a remark that angered him but saying he could not recall exactly what was said. Prosecutors initially charged Jones with second-degree murder, upgraded the charge to first-degree murder, then reached a plea agreement in which Jones pled guilty to second-degree murder. At sentencing in July 2017, Judge Duke Bloom sentenced Jones to 30 years in prison. The reporting names Jones as the sole shooter and lists no other suspects.

If anyone knew Joe Williams, lived on Elaine Drive, or has information about the events that night, please share what is known.