WAYNE COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – Emergency responders were called to a structure fire on Monday, Dec. 16. Tragically, two women were found deceased in the house. Now, one man is in jail facing charges of murder and arson. The West Virginia State Police released the following information:
“On Monday, December 16, 2024, Troopers from the Wayne Detachment responded to Spring Valley Drive in Wayne County to assist the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s office with a double fire fatality. Earlier on this same date, the Ceredo and Kenova Fire Departments responded to a structure fire and upon extinguishing the fire, two deceased victims were discovered in the remains. The victims were sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in Charleston for identification and autopsy.
“On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, autopsies performed at the WV State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be homicide. The victims have been identified as 34-year-old Britney Brown and 57-year-old Erma Brown, (mother of Britney Brown) both of Huntington, WV. Investigation by Troopers from the WVSP Wayne and Huntington Detachments, along with the WV State Fire Marshal’s Office, led to identifying Joshua Russell Morrow (Fiancé of Britney Brown), as a suspect.
“On Thursday, December 19, 2024, after an extensive investigation by the WVSP Wayne, Huntington and Hamlin Detachments, in conjunction with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, warrants were obtained on the suspect, 42-year-old Joshua Russell Morrow of Huntington, WV for 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder and 1 count 1st Degree Arson.
“On Friday, December 20, 2024, at approximately 0200 hours, Troopers from the Wayne and Huntington Detachments, along with BCI Units and SRT Bravo Team, acting on information obtained in the investigation, traveled to an apartment on 23rd Street in Huntington. Units were able to make contact with the suspect, Joshua Russell Morrow, and take him into custody without incident.
“Joshua Russel Morrow was arrested on warrants for 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder, 1 count of 1st Degree Arson and lodged in the Western Regional Jail pending arraignment. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”
