The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

June 1, 2007

Chief deputy: Double murder victims died from ‘blunt force trauma’

Nicholas County authorities have released how the victims in a double homicide died, but said no suspects have identified.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Wayne Plummer said Howard Delp, 73, and April Moore, 29, both died from “blunt force trauma.” The two Richwood area residents were found dead Monday afternoon inside Delp’s Panther Creek Road residence near Nettie. Moore had been staying at Delp’s residence, but their exact relationship was unknown.

Plummer said authorities had not identified any suspects identified and added they were open all possibilities, even multiple suspects.

“Right now, we’re open to anything,” he said. “We are keeping an open mind.”

Plummer said police do not yet have a report from the state medical examiner’s office.

The Central West Virginia Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force is handling the investigation, with assistance from the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department and State Police.

The deaths of Delp and Moore were the first homicides in Nicholas County this year, Plummer said.

— Amelia A. Pridemore

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