FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — A Fayette County magistrate found probable cause in a preliminary hearing Monday in the murder case of a Montgomery man. The case is now going before a grand jury for consideration.
A joint investigation conducted by the Montgomery Police Department and Fayette County Sheriff’s Department led to the arrest last month of Gordon Ray Sutphin, II, 45, in connection with the death of his mother.
Lawanna Sutphin, 67, died this summer. Initially, there was no reason to suspect foul play, but a confidential tip led to an autopsy by the state Medical Examiner’s Office. They found a “ridiculously large” amount of morphine in Lawanna Sutphin’s system.
Monday’s hearing revealed the source of the anonymous tip–Sutphin’s girlfriend. According to investigators, she made the tip based on comments made by Gordon Sutphin II.
The prosecution believes the suspect’s motive to be for financial gain. He was one of the beneficiaries of a life insurance policy.
Purchases made by Sutphin after his mother’s death is part of the ongoing investigation.
The autopsy revealed Lawanna Sutphin had more than double the amount of what is considered a lethal dose of morphine in her system.
The case will likely go before the grand jury scheduled to meet in January, Harrah said.
Sutphin is being held without bail.