Duane David Will, Jr., known to friends and family as David, was a 44-year-old man whose life was defined by his love for his family, his deep faith, and a passion for cooking. Born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, David was a graduate of Point Pleasant High School who went on to earn both undergraduate and master's degrees from Marshall University. He built a career as a chef, working at establishments like The Wheel in Wheeling and TJ’s Sports Bar.
His devotion to his faith was evident in his role as the regular organist at his church, where his appreciation for Christian music touched many in the congregation.
Family was the center of David's world. He was a loving husband to his wife, Monica, and a cherished father to their two children, Makaela and Seth. He delighted in creating lasting memories with them, taking them on adventures to Noah’s Ark in Cincinnati and to see the majestic Niagara Falls, where a helicopter ride over the thundering water became a treasured family moment. Those who knew him remembered his kindness, his big heart, and a contagious laugh and smile that naturally drew people to him. He was described as a man with a brilliant mind, knowledgeable about everything from religion and music to weather tracking.
The early morning hours of October 1, 2026, brought unimaginable violence to the Will family's home on Middle Grave Creek Road in a rural area near Moundsville. At approximately 1:40 a.m., Marshall County 911 dispatchers received a silent call from the residence. When deputies from the Marshall County Sheriff's Office arrived to investigate, they were met with gunfire. A 25-year-old man from Moundsville, Cyle B. Fabrizio, fired a pistol at the approaching officers.
As deputies took cover, Fabrizio appeared in the doorway of the home, holding the couple’s 16-year-old daughter hostage with a pistol pointed at her head. Seeing the immediate threat to the girl's life, a deputy armed with a rifle fired a single shot, striking and killing Fabrizio. Once the threat was neutralized, deputies entered the home to rescue the teenager and her younger brother, who were both physically unharmed. Inside the residence, however, they made a devastating discovery. They found David Will and his 46-year-old wife, Monica L. Will, dead from gunshot wounds.
The subsequent investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police pieced together the tragic sequence of events. Investigators believe Fabrizio went to the family's home, stood on the porch, and shot Monica through a window. He then kicked in the front door and shot David inside the residence before taking their daughter hostage. Authorities reported that Fabrizio had grievances with David and Monica Will, which stemmed from their forbidding him to date their teenage daughter, whom he had met through church.
The community was left shocked and heartbroken by the senseless act of violence. Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty described it as a "tragic act of violence that has devastated a family and shocked our community." In the wake of the tragedy, which also affected the local school community where Monica worked, John Marshall High School canceled all activities for the day and made grief counseling available to students and staff. The school's homecoming parade was also canceled.
Family and friends gathered to mourn David and Monica. A visitation was held on October 8, 2026, followed by a funeral service the next day at the Weirton First Church of the Nazarene. David was laid to rest in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. He was remembered as a kind soul and a wonderful person, leaving behind his beloved children, his father, and his wife's parents. The investigation concluded that the incident was isolated, and with the primary suspect deceased, the case is considered closed. Sheriff Dougherty asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers as the two children began to face an unimaginable loss.
