Local News

Authorities make arrest in Wood County homicides

PARKERSBURG – An arrest was made today in the deaths of James Clifton Bailey, 41, and Felicia Jean Goff, 40, of 389 Morgan Ridge Road, Walker.

In a combined operation, local law enforcement officers from multiple agencies arrested Bradley Cantwell, 41, of 56 Lee's Court, Walker, without incident in the 1600 block of Blizzard Drive, south Parkersburg, at approximately 4:25 p.m. today while leaving an area business, the Wood County Sheriff's Office reported in a press release.

Another person, Gage Robert Foutty, age not available, of 702 19th St., Vienna, was also arrested on unrelated charges of conspiracy to commit grand larceny/aiding and abetting. Foutty was the driver of the vehicle that he and Cantwell were occupying at the time of their arrests, the release said.

Cantwell's arrest was made in relation to the fire which occurred on May 19 at approximately 12:39 p.m. at the Morgan Ridge Road residence in Walker, the release said.

As the fire was brought under control, firefighters gained entry to the residence and discovered two persons inside the structure, both deceased. It was later determined that both victims had died after sustaining gunshot wounds prior to the setting of the fire, the release said.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office thanked the Parkersburg Police uniform and detective divisions, Vienna and Williamstown Police, the West Virginia State Fire Marshals Office, the West Virginia State Police and the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for their assistance in this investigation.

The quick response from area volunteer fire departments including Deerwalk, Waverly, and East Wood helped to preserve valuable evidence which assisted detectives in this incident, the release said.

There will be no further press releases on this matter due to this still being an open investigation.

It should be noted that all persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty, the release said.

The WCSO also sincerely thanked the community members who assisted law enforcement with their phone calls and information during the search for Cantwell.

"We could not have asked for a better community response to such a horrific incident. Thank you for your help and your support of your local law enforcement agencies," the release said.