William Leroy Morey Obituary, Death: Authorities identify victims in Henry County double murder.
William Leroy Morey Obituary, Death – Authorities in Henry County have officially identified the two individuals killed in a double homicide that took place on Tuesday, July 22. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) confirmed the victims as 68-year-old William Leroy Morey and 22-year-old Mandy Michelle Coleman. Deputies were initially dispatched to a home on Meeks Road in Ridgeway following a report of a man lying in the road with apparent gunshot wounds.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found Morey deceased, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators later learned that Morey had gone to the residence to check on the welfare of Mandy Coleman, which prompted deputies to search the home. Once inside, they discovered the body of Coleman, who had died from a single gunshot wound.
Further investigation led deputies to identify Coleman’s husband, 28-year-old Joshua Corbett Coleman, as the primary suspect in the killings. Authorities expressed concern for the safety of the couple’s two young children, who were believed to be with Joshua at the time.
This launched an urgent and coordinated manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Eden Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Martinsville City Police Department. A Henry County deputy ultimately located and stopped the suspect’s vehicle.
Joshua Coleman was taken into custody without incident. Inside the vehicle, officers found a handgun and an AR-15 rifle. The two children, thankfully, were also found in the vehicle and were unharmed.
Joshua Coleman now faces several serious charges, including:
- Two counts of First Degree Murder
- Two counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
- One count of Shooting from an Occupied Vehicle
- Two counts of Child Abuse and Neglect
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and praised the rapid response of the law enforcement agencies involved. “This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation that has deeply affected two families and our entire community,” Davis said. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. I want to commend our deputies and partner agencies for their swift and coordinated response, which led to the safe recovery of the children and the apprehension of the suspect. We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and protecting the innocent.”
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and prepare the case against Joshua Coleman.
