Jason Lee Perry, a 40-year-old White/Caucasian man from Dunlow, West Virginia, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in the early morning hours of December 5, 2023, in the Blue Moon Hollow area of Wayne County. Troopers and Wayne County sheriff’s deputies responded after reports of gunfire and described the scene as outside a rural residence near Dunlow.

Investigators focused on Chester Ray Mollett, 64, of Dunlow. State Police said information developed during the inquiry led them to Mollett, who was taken into custody by a State Police Special Response Team. He was expected to be charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was held without bond at the Western Regional Jail. Court-related reporting states Mollett allegedly admitted waiting outside the residence because he was tired of Perry allegedly stealing from and harassing him, and that Mollett has a prior felony manslaughter conviction in Kentucky.

On December 19, 2023, Mollett appeared for a preliminary hearing in Wayne County and a judge found enough evidence to send the case to a Wayne County grand jury. If anyone knew Jason Perry or has information about the shooting, please share what is known with investigators.