RIDGEWAY, VA — A quiet Virginia community is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating double homicide that claimed the lives of two individuals and left two young children caught in the wake of an unthinkable act of domestic violence. Joshua Corbett Coleman, 30, is now in custody, facing a slew of charges after allegedly killing his wife, Mandy Michelle Coleman, 22, and William Leroy Morey, 68, in a tragic sequence of events fueled by a domestic dispute.
**A Deadly Confrontation Unfolds
The tragedy began on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, when the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a distressing call at approximately 12:58 p.m. reporting a man shot and lying in the roadway in front of a residence at 267 Meeks Road in Ridgeway, a small community near the Virginia-North Carolina border. Deputies arrived to find William Leroy Morey, 68, deceased, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities later determined that Morey had visited the residence to check on the well-being of Mandy Coleman.
Prompted by the circumstances, deputies entered the home at 267 Meeks Road, where they discovered Mandy Michelle Coleman, 22, dead from a single gunshot wound to the head. The discovery heightened concerns when it was realized that Mandy’s two young children, an 11-month-old and a 2-year-old, were missing from the home.
**A Suspect Identified and a Motive Revealed
Investigators quickly identified Joshua Corbett Coleman, Mandy’s husband and the father of the two children, as the primary suspect. According to court documents, Coleman confessed to the killings, revealing a chilling sequence of events. He admitted to engaging in a heated argument with his wife in their kitchen, during which he accused her of infidelity. In a fit of rage, Coleman retrieved a firearm from a bedroom, returned to the kitchen, and fatally shot Mandy in the head.
Following the murder of his wife, Coleman gathered their two children and fled the scene in a vehicle. Court records indicate that, believing he was already destined for jail, Coleman sought out William Morey. Unable to find Morey at his own residence, Coleman returned to Meeks Road, where he encountered Morey in the street and shot him multiple times. While the exact nature of Morey’s relationship with the Colemans remains under investigation, authorities have confirmed that he was not related to either Joshua or Mandy but had come to the home out of concern for her safety.
**Swift Action Leads to Arrest
A multi-agency effort involving the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Eden Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Martinsville City Police Department was launched to locate Coleman and ensure the safety of the missing children. At approximately 2:38 p.m., a Henry County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the Valley Star Credit Union on Dupont Road in Martinsville, apprehending Coleman without incident. Inside the vehicle, authorities found the two children safe and unharmed, along with a handgun and an AR-15 rifle in Coleman’s possession.
The children, described as a “miracle” by Sheriff Wayne Davis, were placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services and other family members.
**Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Joshua Corbett Coleman is being held without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center. He faces the following charges:
– Two counts of first-degree murder (Virginia Code § 18.2-32)
– Two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (Virginia Code § 18.2-53.1)
– One count of shooting from an occupied vehicle
– Two counts of child abuse and neglect (Virginia Code § 18.2-371.1(B))
The investigation remains active, with authorities seeking additional information to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Crime Stoppers, is offering rewards of up to $2,500 for information related to the case. Anyone with details is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crime Stoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463).
**A Community in Mourning
Sheriff Wayne Davis addressed the profound impact of the incident, stating, “This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation that has deeply affected two families and our entire community. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. I want to commend our deputies and our partner agencies for their swift and coordinated response, which led to the safe recovery of the children and the apprehension of the suspect.”
As Ridgeway grapples with the shock and grief of this tragedy, the community remains united in seeking justice for Mandy Michelle Coleman and William Leroy Morey, while holding hope for the healing of all those affected.