HAYSI, Va. — Authorities in Dickenson County are investigating a disturbing domestic homicide after a man admitted to killing his father late Thursday night, an incident that has shaken the small Appalachian community. The fatal attack occurred inside a residence on Presley Branch Road, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.
According to Dickenson County Sheriff Jeremy Fleming, deputies were dispatched just before 10 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from James David Gilbert, who told dispatchers that he had killed his father using a hatchet. Based on the information provided during the call, deputies immediately responded to the home to assess the situation and secure the scene.
When deputies arrived, they discovered Craig David Gilbert, 69, suffering from severe head injuries. Despite emergency response efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said the injuries observed were consistent with the details described during the emergency call, confirming the violent nature of the assault.
James Gilbert, 44, was taken into custody without incident at the residence. Authorities confirmed he has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his father’s death. He is currently being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Haysi without bond as he awaits future court proceedings.
The Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing as deputies and detectives work to determine what led to the deadly confrontation. Officials have not released details regarding a possible motive, nor have they said whether any other individuals were present in the home at the time of the killing. Additional evidence is being reviewed as part of the case.
The fatal incident has left residents in the Haysi area stunned, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic violence within families. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation continues, officials said more details may be released once they are confirmed, while the community mourns the loss of a life under devastating circumstances.
