On September 17, 2019, the body of 20-year-old Roy Lee Barnes III was discovered in a wooded area near Whitby, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Barnes, a resident of Crab Orchard, had been reported missing by his family after last being seen on September 13, 2019. An investigation by the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office revealed that Barnes had died from gunshot wounds.
The investigation led to the arrest of two individuals: 24-year-old Franklin Wayne Yancey and 54-year-old William Garretson, both from Glen Morgan. According to court documents, Yancey confessed to shooting Barnes twice, citing a dispute over stolen personal property as the motive. Yancey also indicated that Garretson conspired with him to carry out the murder.
The alleged murder weapon was found in an outbuilding on Garretson's property.
Both Yancey and Garretson were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. In February 2020, Yancey pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Garretson was also indicted on first-degree murder charges and awaited further court proceedings.
