McDowell County investigators say the longtime mayor of War was murdered.
Sheriff’s deputies have charged Tom Hatcher’s daughter-in-law Rebecca Lynn Hatcher of War and her brother Earl Click of Grundy, Va., with his death. They were both arrested Thursday night.
Hatcher was found dead Monday.
The criminal complaint says the two defendants stole 11-hundred dollars after killing Mayor Hatcher.
McDowell County Deputy Ron Blevins told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph investigators thought from the beginning foul play was involved in the mayor’s death but intentionally released incorrect information to the media as part of the department’s ongoing investigation.
Blevins says the dept. originally said there were no suspicious circumstances in connection with the death but they knew from the beginning that wasn’t likely. He says by saying the death was not suspicious that will sometimes cause people who know something to come forward more quickly.
Investigators have not released the motive in the case.
Both suspects are in jail. Click will face extradition from Virginia.