Jody Lee Thomas, a 41-year-old Caucasian female, was found shot to death in her home in the Ovapa community of Clay County, West Virginia, on the morning of October 7, 2017. The discovery was made by her boyfriend, David Lanham. State Police were called to the scene on Laurel Creek Road around 6:30 a.m. and found that multiple shots had been fired inside the residence.
Investigators quickly identified a person of interest, who was a male family member of David Lanham.
The suspect was later confirmed to be David's 25-year-old son, Samuel Lanham. Family members reported that Samuel Lanham had a history of mental health issues and drug use. The motive for the shooting remained under investigation, but authorities believed Samuel Lanham killed his father's girlfriend.
After allegedly killing Thomas, Samuel Lanham stole her car. Later that same day, a Kanawha County deputy spotted him in North Charleston, initiating a high-speed chase. During the pursuit through the city, Lanham shot at officers multiple times and brandished a shotgun out of the vehicle's window. The chase ended dramatically in Charleston at the intersection of Leon Sullivan Way and Washington Street East when Lanham crashed head-on into another vehicle, injuring its two occupants. Following the crash, more shots were exchanged, and officers shot and killed Samuel Lanham. His death concluded the search for the sole suspect in Jody Thomas's murder, leaving no arrests to be made.
