Satterfield at Large, Wanted for Attempted Murder & Attempted Arson

Trooper J.D. Richards of the West Virginia State Police has filed a criminal complaint in the Magistrate Court of Calhoun County for the arrest of Jody Alan Satterfield for Attempted 1st Degree Murder and Attempted 1st Degree Arson of a Dwelling. 

In Trooper Richards’ complaint, he stated that on or about Monday,  July 17th, 2023 at approximately 11 a.m. he was notified of an individual located in the Calhoun Magistrate Court, wanting to make a complaint. Trooper Richards went to the court and brought the complainant back to the State Police Barracks, across the street from the courthouse, where he conducted a preliminary interview with victim, Diana Lea Satterfield, age 70. 

Ms. Satterfield informed Trooper Richards that her son, Jody Alan Satterfield, age 50, attempted to kill her on the morning of July 11, 2023. She was adamant that she had been drugged with a substance that the accused had put into her coffee on July 9th, 2023, and possibly July 10th, 2023 which lead up to the events that unfolded on the 11th of July.

Trooper Richards sat down with Diana Satterfield on July 29th, 2023 for an in-depth interview regarding the events. At that time Ms. Satterfield stated that Jody Satterfield had made coffee for her at approximately 8 or 9 p.m. on July 9th. After she consumed the coffee, and nothing else, she began to have weakness, numbness and occurrences of being in and out of consciousness. She told the Trooper that she remembered waking up briefly the next morning with the accused standing over her in her bedroom while she was on the floor, adding that she could not move from the weakness she felt, but Jody Satterfield offered her no help to get up from the floor. 

Kevin Starcher, the brother of the victim, arrived at approximately 5:30 a.m after being notified by Diana Satterfield of the situation. When she had crawled to the bed, Kevin aided her to get in. At a point later in the day, she recalled getting out of her bed and going to the living room where she seen Jody Satterfield sitting in a recliner opposite of her, telling her that he had once again made coffee. She detailed further that she went unconscious again and woke up at around 3 a.m. on the 11th of July. She attempted to get up for approximately an hour and finally did get out of her recliner. The first thing she recalls was the overwhelming smell of natural gas in the house. She described the nausea as being overwhelming. She also noted that when going into her bedroom and opening the door, the experience was like a wall of gas hitting her in the face. She tried to open the doors and air the residence out and noticed that the burners on her stove were set to the highest possible setting without a flame. Telling the Trooper that the burners on her stove ignite automatically, so that if someone were to turn the gas on they would have to put the flames out for the gas to run as it was, and demonstrated it for the Trooper. When opening the front door, Diana Satterfield noticed that a candle had been lit, around six feet from the stove. After throwing the candle out onto her lawn, she realized that her son, Jody Satterfield was gone, and a firearm belonging to her was missing. The gun was described as a Charter Arms Pink Lady 3.8 Special. All of her bank cards were gone as well. 

The only one’s living at the residence of 161 Daniels Run Road, Millstone, WV were there accused and the victim.  Her family that lived nearby were at the beach on vacation at the time (confirmed by Trooper Richards). 

Ms. Satterfield informed the Trooper that she had sent a text to Tristan Satterfield, her grandson, and the son of Jody, to ask where Jody Satterfield was and described that her head was hurting from the smell of gas. Tristan happened to be with Jody. 

Jody Satterfield had been living with his mother Diana for about three months, reportedly seldom ever leaving the house, except to go to the gas station for cigarettes. When Trooper Richards interviewed Tristan Satterfield on July 29th about the events that had taken place on July 11th, 2023, Tristan told him that Jody Satterfield had arrived at his residence at Calhoun Homes Drive, Mt. Zion at around 1 a.m. At that time Jody Satterfield was driving the vehicle of Diana Satterfield and wanted Tristan to go with him to Spencer. When Tristan finally relinquished to going, and said that Jody drove the two of them to Spencer but failed to stop, driving further on to Parkersburg, WV where Tristan convinced him to stop at the home of Lakritia Reeder and Aaron Reeder, who were family. When Tristan expressed concern about his grandmother not having her vehicle, Tristan left Jody Satterfield at the residence and returned the vehicle to Diana Satterfield later in the morning. Tristan informed the Trooper that when he arrived he noticed the candle in the front yard, and the house, although it was being aired out, there was still a foul, pungent odor of natural gas that was still heavy. 

Trooper Richards also interviewed Lakritia Reeder who reported that Jody Satterfield had stayed at her residence from July 11th, 2023 until July 17th. During that time he mentioned some very concerning things to her such as he “watched that witch explode,” and he wasn’t sorry for doing it, it had to be done.” He also stated that he “would not shed a tear for his own mother dying.” Lakritia was adamant that the accused was bragging about killing his own mother. 

Another interview on July 29th was that of Trooper Richards and Welltender Dana Haught. Dana oversees the well that supplies natural gas to the residence of Diana Satterfield. He told the Trooper that there was a noticeable and distinct increase in gas consumption when compared to the same time one year ago. Mr. Haught supplied the consumption logs for evidence. 

Warrants have been issued for Jody Alan Satterfield for “Attempted Premeditated First Degree Murder” on his Mother’s life, as well a “Attempted Arson.” 

If convicted the accused faces 2-20 years in prison for the Attempted Murder or 3-15 years for the Arson charge as well a fines. 

Satterfield is currently at large and considered armed and dangerous. If his location is known, or if he is seen, please contact the police immediately. 

Defendants are assumed innocent until proven guilty.