Michelle Daniels, a 47-year-old White/Caucasian woman from Huntington, West Virginia, became the center of a homicide investigation after police were called to check on her at a home in the 900 block of 12th Avenue on Friday, September 20, 2024. When Huntington officers arrived, they found her suffering from severe injuries. She was taken from the residence to a local hospital, but despite receiving treatment, she died two days later, on Sunday evening, September 22, 2024.
After her death, authorities classified the case as a homicide.
Investigators soon focused on Michelle's husband, Robert Lee Daniels, who was 55 at the time. Police said they wanted to question him in connection with her death, and they warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities noted that he had ties to Huntington, West Virginia, as well as Mingo County and Pike County, Kentucky, prompting law enforcement agencies in those areas to assist in the search.
Robert Lee Daniels was taken into custody on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Mingo County. At the time of his arrest, he was apprehended on unrelated felony warrants connected to threats of terroristic acts and retaliation against a public official. West Virginia State Police and the Mingo County Sheriff's Department were involved in the arrest. Reports from the arrest described a dangerous situation, with officials saying Daniels had allegedly gone to Mingo County intending to harm deputies, but he was arrested without incident.
After further investigation, Huntington police charged Robert Lee Daniels with first-degree murder in Michelle Daniels' death. Authorities described the case as a shooting death. In addition to the murder charge, he was also facing the Mingo County-related charges, including two counts of retaliation against a public official and two counts of terroristic acts. He was reported to be held at Southwestern Regional Jail on a $1 million bond while awaiting trial.
