Accident – Death – Obituary News :
By Chris Lawrence
CHARLESTON — A Lewis County man, Michael Lockard of Walkersville, expressed disbelief over the delayed discovery of a fifth victim at the scene of a devastating fire earlier this week in the community of Ireland.
Close Ties to the Victims
Lockard, who had close ties to the victims, including the fifth victim who was found shot near the burned-out home, shared his thoughts with MetroNews on the shocking turn of events.
The man’s body, tragically, was found approximately 50 feet from a chicken coop, close to the charred remains of the house. Despite first responders being present at the scene, the body went unnoticed for nearly 24 hours.
A Heart-Wrenching Search
The fifth victim was the biological father of Lockard’s stepson. Lockard and his stepson spent the day scouring various family properties across central West Virginia in a desperate search for him.
Upon returning to the scene, they collaborated with law enforcement officers to search the outbuildings surrounding the property, leading to the grim discovery of the missing man’s body.
A Painful Realization
Lockard expressed frustration and sorrow over the delay in finding the victim, emphasizing the emotional toll the week had already taken on his family and the community.
Despite the tragedy, Lockard was unaware of any underlying issues or conflicts that could have led to the devastating loss of six lives.
Investigation Continues
The investigation into the fire and subsequent deaths remains ongoing. With the primary suspect, Luke Wilson, having taken his own life hours after the incident, authorities face challenges in determining a motive behind the killings.
Lockard and his family, deeply affected by the tragedy, continue to grapple with the loss of loved ones and seek closure in the face of such a senseless act of violence.
As the community mourns the lives lost in this horrific event, questions linger about what could have driven someone to commit such a heinous crime.
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