Third person sought for questioning in Hatfield murder

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A third individual, considered a person of interest in the murder of West Virginia coal executive Ben Hatfield, is now identified by West Virginia State Police.

Troopers in Williamson confirm Brandon Fitzpatrick, 18, of Fort Gay was arrested Wednesday on unrelated charges in the town of Elsmere, Kentucky.  Elsmere is just south of Cincinnati.

Arresting officers in Kentucky were alerted Fitzpatrick was wanted for questioning in Mingo County in connection with the murder of Hatfield when checking on his background.

Investigators have already charged Anthony Arriaga, 20, of Delphos, Ohio with first degree murder in the case.  Arriaga was taken into custody in Ohio on Tuesday.  Authorities also charged Ricky Peterson of Wayne as an accessory in the case after he allegedly provided false information to investigators when questioned about what Arriaga told him about Hatfield’s death.

State Police stress at this point, Fitzpatrick is only a person of interest and wanted for questioning in the Hatfield investigation.

Hatfield, the former CEO of International Coal Group and Patriot Coal was shot dead Sunday while visiting a cemetery outside of Williamson to decorate the graves of his late wife and other relatives ahead of Memorial Day.  Authorities have still not revealed a motive in the killing.





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