Husband charged after wife’s body found covered in blanket on porch

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (TCN) -- A man has been charged with first-degree murder and child neglect in connection with the fatal shooting death of his wife, according to police. 

WOWK reports neighbors called police on March 13 to conduct a wellness check at the home of Christina Hunt and Leroy Hunt. Responding officers found the body of Christina Hunt on the porch, covered with a blanket.

The Mingo Messenger reports Leroy Hunt surrendered to the responding deputies after a brief standoff, and he was subsequently arrested and charged. According to WCHS, the standoff was a brief hostage situation involving the couple’s 2-year-old. The child was unharmed, according to police.

Police believe Leroy Hunt allegedly fatally shot Christina Hunt as she was entering the home. A criminal complaint obtained by WCHS reports Hunt then allegedly fired his gun into a hillside, which put the child at risk of injury or death, leading to the child neglect charge.

A GoFundMe started by Christina Hunt’s mother, Lisa Pelfrey, to pay for her funeral services reports she was 26 at the time of her death. “We also pray for all women facing domestic violence — please, get out while you can. Let’s work together to end domestic violence against women,” Pelfrey wrote.

WCHS reports Leroy Hunt remains in custody. An autopsy on Christina Hunt is pending.