RIDGEWAY, VA — The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victims of a tragic double homicide that occurred on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at a residence on Meeks Road in Ridgeway, Virginia. The victims, 68-year-old William Leroy Morey and 22-year-old Mandy Michelle Coleman, were found deceased following a violent incident that has shaken the local community.
The incident began around 1 p.m. when deputies responded to a report of a man lying in the roadway at 267 Meeks Road. Upon arrival, they discovered William Leroy Morey, who had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators determined that Morey had visited the residence to check on the well-being of Mandy Coleman. This prompted deputies to enter the home, where they found Mandy Coleman deceased from an apparent single gunshot wound.
Authorities identified Mandy’s husband, 30-year-old Joshua Corbett Coleman, as the primary suspect in the killings. Concerns immediately arose for the safety of the couple’s two young children, aged 2 years and 11 months, who were believed to be with Coleman. A regional manhunt was launched, involving the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Eden Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Martinsville City Police Department.
The search culminated when a Henry County deputy conducted a traffic stop in Martinsville and located Joshua Coleman’s vehicle. Coleman was found armed with a handgun and an AR-15 rifle. The two children were discovered safe and unharmed in the back of the vehicle. Coleman was taken into custody without incident, and the children were placed in the care of the Department of Social Services and family members.
Joshua Corbett Coleman faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, one count of shooting from an occupied vehicle, and two counts of child abuse and neglect. He is currently being held without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Wayne Davis described the incident as “heartbreaking and tragic,” noting its profound impact on the victims’ families and the broader community. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time,” Davis said. “I commend the swift and coordinated efforts of our deputies and partner agencies, which ensured the safe recovery of the children and the apprehension of the suspect.”
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shootings, including the relationship between Morey and the Colemans, which has not been fully disclosed. The community mourns the loss of William Leroy Morey and Mandy Michelle Coleman as authorities work to deliver justice in this devastating case.