Crime Solvers Central
CSC
268 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
James Plance death by force case profile photo

James Plance

Case from Smithfield, PA dated Jul 18, 2017

Victim Details

James Plance

Male

Black / African American

Smithfield

PA

2017-07-18

45

James

Plance

07/25/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
James Plance, a 45-year-old man from Smithfield, PA, was tragically shot to death on July 18, 2017. The incident was part of a complex love triangle involving Plance, his girlfriend Deana Hughes, 33, and Wiley Gambrel, 58. According to police reports, Gambrel shot Plance in the head at a home on Riger Road. After the shooting, Gambrel loaded Plance's body onto a dolly and placed it in a storage shed.

The case took a dramatic turn when Hughes called the police hours after the shooting, lea ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for James Plance, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Fayette County man charged in shooting death of other man in love triangle
  • Police: 'Love triangle' leads to death of Smithfield man - Herald ...
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 6 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else noticed the eerie timing between when the shooting happened and when Deana Hughes fi... ...Read More
    11/03/2024
    Does anyone else find themselves thinking about the role of substance abuse in this tragic case? It�... ...Read More
    01/12/2024
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for James Plance

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Pennsylvania

    Erick David Nieves Cabrera death by force case in Chester, PA

    Erick David Nieves Cabrera

    Death: Aug 10, 2014
    Erick David Nieves Cabrera, a 36-year-old Hispanic male from Chester, Pennsylvania, was found deceas a ...Read More
    Eric Ferrer death by force case in Reading, PA

    Eric Ferrer

    Death: Jan 18, 2023
    In the winter of 2023, a violent encounter in Reading, Pennsylvania, claimed the life of 47-year-old l ...Read More
    Kenneth Hayman death by force case in Mckeesport, PA

    Kenneth Hayman

    Death: Oct 12, 2025
    In the autumn of 2025, the life of 33-year-old Kenneth 'Kenny' Matthew Hayman of McKeesport, Pennsyl y ...Read More
    Hasaan Sibert death by force case in Philadelphia, PA

    Hasaan Sibert

    Death: Aug 14, 2017
    Hasaan Sibert, a 23-year-old male from Philadelphia, PA, tragically lost his life on August 14, 2017 1 ...Read More
    David Austin Carr death by force case in Harrisburg, PA

    David Austin Carr

    Death: Aug 08, 2009
    In the summer of 2009, the life of 17-year-old David Austin Carr was tragically cut short in Harrisb s ...Read More
    Maului Lewis death by force case in Philadelphia, PA

    Maului Lewis

    Death: Sep 04, 2016
    In the early morning hours of September 4, 2016, a dispute in the Kensington neighborhood of Philade d ...Read More
    Steven Darrell Rios death by force case in Philadelphia, PA

    Steven Darrell Rios

    Death: Aug 04, 2023
    Steven Darrell Rios, a 22-year-old Black/African American male from Philadelphia, was killed on Frid i ...Read More