IAEGER, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Authorities in McDowell County say a man was found shot multiple times near his son’s residence early Sunday morning, and investigators believe the killing was deliberate.
According to law enforcement, deputies were alerted shortly after 12:26 a.m. on February 22 to a deceased body discovered along Trail Hollow Road in Iaeger. Detective R.V. Johnson arrived at the scene around 1:49 a.m. and was briefed by responding deputies.
Investigators determined the victim, Thomas Lawson Sr., had left his home Saturday afternoon around 2 p.m. to help his son, Thomas Lawson Jr., cut trees blocking access to a hunting cabin at the end of Trail Hollow Road. When Lawson Sr. failed to return home, his wife, Abigail Lawson, became concerned and asked a family member to contact 911 late that evening.
Deputies responding to the property located Lawson Sr.’s body a short distance from the residence. His red Jeep SUV was also at the scene.
Authorities say Lawson Sr. had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back and the back of his head. He was found lying on his back with a chainsaw nearby, fully clothed and wearing sunglasses. Investigators reported he appeared to have been dead for several hours before being discovered.
Officers located what appeared to be two 9mm bullet slugs inside the victim’s clothing, and investigators believe he was shot at least six times — four rounds striking his back and two hitting the back of his head. A revolver was found in the victim’s pocket, but officials say it had not been fired and still contained all six rounds.
Deputies secured the nearby residence for safety, but Lawson Jr. was not located there, and his vehicle was missing.
During the investigation, Abigail Lawson told deputies her husband had been afraid of his son and that the two had a history of physical disputes. She also reported hearing what she believed was her son’s truck leaving the area shortly after her husband departed for the property.
Investigators later learned Lawson Jr. was believed to be heading to Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro, West Virginia, where family members said he frequently traveled due to a gambling addiction.
Police in Nitro confirmed Lawson Jr. had already been taken into custody there on an unrelated incident. Officers working security at the casino reported Lawson Jr. approached them wearing only a hat and shoes, allegedly after removing his clothing in a restroom. Authorities say he made an obscene gesture toward officers and attempted to flee before being quickly apprehended.
Records show Lawson Jr. arrived at the casino around 5:30 p.m. Saturday and was arrested around 1 a.m. Sunday. Investigators noted this timeline placed him at the casino roughly three and a half hours after his truck was reportedly heard leaving the Trail Hollow area. The drive from the residence to the casino typically takes about one hour and fifteen minutes.
Detectives also reviewed text messages between the father and son, obtained with family consent, which showed Lawson Jr. had arranged for his father to come help cut trees that afternoon and confirmed when Lawson Sr. was on his way.
Based on the collected evidence, investigators allege Lawson Jr. intentionally and with premeditation killed his father.
The investigation remains ongoing.
