Wayne Gadd, 79, died of gunshot wounds at his home in Forest Hill, West Virginia, on September 11, 2015, in a case that also claimed the life of his wife, Patti Gadd. Deputies from the Summers County Sheriff’s Office found an extremely bloody scene when they entered the residence several days after the shootings; the sheriff estimated both had been dead at least three days. Investigators reported Wayne had been shot at least once and Patti twice, and that Patti’s body appeared to have been moved into a bedroom after she was wounded, leaving a blood trail from the original location.

The couple’s son, John Edward Gadd, told investigators he had shot Wayne and said Patti’s shooting was accidental while Wayne’s was in self-defense. Law enforcement expressed serious doubts about that account, citing the delay in reporting the deaths and the movement of Patti’s body. John was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of concealing a dead body; the sheriff said possible murder charges were under consideration pending medical examiner results and further evidence.

Key questions remain about the sequence of events between the shootings and why the deaths were not reported promptly. If anyone knew the Gadds, their movements in early September 2015, or has information about what happened inside the home, please come forward.