Sheriff: stop the rumors

A week after the Bethany homicides, investigators are asking Rockingham County residents to be patient and stop spreading rumors about the French family murder investigation.

Douglas Troy French and his wife, Ladonna Mosley French, were found shot to death early Feb. 4 in their home near Bethany. The couple’s 19-year-old daughter, Whitley Morgan French, sustained a laceration to her left arm. No arrests had been made as of press time.

On Thursday afternoon, rumors of an arrest – which proved unsubstantiated – sent many area residents to social networking sites and had members of the media camping out at the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. That day, when asked about the investigation, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page and sheriff’s office spokesman Kevin Suthard both said no arrests in the case had been made. But, when asked whether someone had been interrogated, multiple investigators replied with “no comment.”

Suthard released a statement from the department on Friday saying it came to the sheriff’s office’s attention that many rumors were circulating about this investigation and they publicly stated no arrest had been made, though they are working “tirelessly” for an arrest to occur. As soon as this happens, the statement said, the sheriff’s office promised the public will be notified.

“I understand and appreciate the concerns of the citizens, not only in the Bethany area, but throughout Rockingham County; but my investigative team needs time to examine all elements of this case,” Page said in the press release. “This is too important to risk rushing.”

Many Rockingham County residents have been upset and scared since last Saturday when they first learned of the double homicide.

Documents obtained from the Rockingham County Clerk of Courts Office said Page was informed Feb. 4 that a 911 call was made by Whitley French, who stated she was assaulted by an unknown person wearing a hoodie and had the hood up. She stated the suspect entered the family home located at 791 Pinewood Road in Bethany and started shooting, but later left the scene.

Documents also state Ladonna French was found inside the front door near a staircase and Douglas French was found with a gunshot wound to the left side of his torso in the kitchen. Ladonna French’s cause of death was not listed in these documents. Both were deceased when investigators arrived on scene.

After interviewing Whitley French, deputies obtained search warrants for cell phones, laptops, I-pads, digital cameras and other items, including multicolored ties. According to the warrants, Whitley French told deputies she had made contact with her boyfriend and also posted information on social media that allowed others to know her whereabouts.

Deputies are still gathering information regarding this case and anyone with information should call the sheriff’s office at (336) 634-3232 or Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at (336) 349-9683.