Dwayne E. Qualls, a 62-year-old man from Pomeroy, Ohio, died unexpectedly on September 30, 2022. Born on December 5, 1959, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Qualls was known for his love of music and was a graduate of Meigs High School. He is survived by his brother, James “Jimmy D” Qualls, a half-brother, Forrest Qualls, two half-sisters, Melanie Qualls and Kiawana Varian, and his stepmother, Marcia Qualls. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edward and Barbara Harvey Qualls, and two brothers, Blaine and Troy.
The circumstances surrounding Qualls' death were tragic. Wayne Leib Jr., a 40-year-old man from Pomeroy, was indicted on murder charges in connection with Qualls' death. According to the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Leib was taken into custody shortly after Qualls' body was found at his home on Spring Street. Leib was also a suspect in a murder investigation in Mason County, West Virginia, where another victim, Jason Peirce, was found dead on the same day. Authorities believe the two murders are connected.
Leib was arraigned on aggravated murder charges and held at Middleport Jail in Ohio. The court set his bond at $2 million, cash-only, and the maximum sentence for aggravated murder charges in Ohio is life in prison without parole. Leib eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life without parole. The motive behind the murders remains unknown.
The investigation involved collaboration between the Pomeroy Police Department, the Mason Police Department, the Ohio BCI, and the West Virginia State Police crime lab. Despite the tragic loss, the community has come together to honor Qualls' memory and support his family during this difficult time.
