A hunting trip in the forests of central West Virginia ended in tragedy, taking the life of Bobby Allen Stilwell, a 42-year-old man from the small community of Strange Creek. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in a rural area of Braxton County, a region known for its dense woods and popularity among hunters.
Details about Bobby Stilwell's personal life are not widely known, but an obituary for his late daughter, Desirae Ann Stilwell, who passed away in
2023, names him as her father, along with his partner, Christine Frame. The same obituary also lists a woman named Melody Stilwell and a man named Arthur Neff as Desirae's grandparents.
On the day of the shooting, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Bobby Stilwell was hunting off Keeners Ridge. It was during this time that he was shot by a fellow hunter. First responders were dispatched to the remote scene, and Stilwell was initially transported by emergency medical services before his condition required him to be airlifted to Ruby Memorial Hospital for more advanced treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries. A West Virginia State Police update confirmed that he passed away on Monday, October 19, 2026, nearly a week after being shot.
The investigation into the shooting was handled by the Sutton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police. Trooper First Class J.M. Posey and Senior Trooper A.L. Groves responded to the initial call. Their investigation quickly determined that the person responsible for the shooting was Arthur Allen Neff, a 64-year-old man, also from Strange Creek. Investigators concluded that Neff had accidentally shot Stilwell while they were both hunting.
Following the initial investigation, Neff was arrested and faced several serious charges, including wanton endangerment, negligent shooting while hunting, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He was taken to the Central Regional Jail and held on a $25,000 cash bond. After Stilwell's death, the charges against Neff were upgraded. State Police announced on October 20 that Neff was additionally charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The case brought a somber mood to the small, unincorporated community of Strange Creek, where both men resided. The charge of "prohibited person in possession of a firearm" against Neff indicates that he was legally barred from owning or carrying a gun at the time of the incident, adding a layer of complexity to the tragic accident.
As of late October 2026, the investigation was reported to be ongoing. Arthur Allen Neff was awaiting his next court appearance to face the charges, including the upgraded charge of involuntary manslaughter. No public statements from the families of either Bobby Stilwell or Arthur Neff have been reported, and information regarding memorials or fundraisers for Stilwell's family has not been made available. The case remains in litigation.
