A quiet West Virginia community is reeling after the tragic discovery of two individuals who were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in Ivydale, Clay County. The victims have been identified as 54-year-old Brenda Lee Davis of Ivydale, WV, and 38-year-old Richard Lee Bishop of Maysel, WV.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police have launched a full investigation into what is now being treated as a double homicide.
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On Thursday, April 3, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Trooper First Class (TFC) R.E. Wiseman was dispatched to a residence in Ivydale following a welfare check requested by concerned family members of Brenda Davis.
According to officials, the family became worried when they had not been able to reach Davis and grew increasingly alarmed when she failed to respond to calls and messages for several days.
Upon arriving at the scene, TFC Wiseman discovered both Brenda Davis and Richard Bishop deceased inside the home. The victims appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Authorities have not released details about where in the house the victims were found or the exact time of death, but initial reports suggest they may have died several hours before their discovery.
Brenda Davis was a well-known and well-liked resident of Ivydale. Friends describe her as kind, dependable, and deeply devoted to her family.
Richard Bishop, though from nearby Maysel, was said to have had a close personal connection to Davis, though authorities have not elaborated on the nature of their relationship. His death, alongside Davis, has shocked and saddened many in the close-knit community.
As investigators from the West Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies began piecing together the events leading up to the tragic discovery, they quickly identified a suspect: 58-year-old Michael Wayne Adkins of Duck, WV.
Adkins was reportedly in a past or ongoing relationship with Brenda Davis, which has raised suspicions of a possible domestic motive. Following further inquiry and evidence gathering, Adkins was taken into custody and officially charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder.
He is currently being held at Central Regional Jail, where he awaits arraignment in Clay County Circuit Court. Authorities have not released a motive, but court documents are expected to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Davis and Bishop.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the timeline of events, the nature of Adkins’s relationship with both victims, and any potential premeditation involved.
It remains unclear whether the murders occurred simultaneously or if one victim was targeted before the other. Investigators are also looking into the weapon used and whether Adkins acted alone or if there are any other persons of interest.
The small community of Ivydale has been left shaken by the tragedy. Residents have expressed disbelief that such violence could happen in their rural and typically peaceful town.
Many have taken to social media to share condolences and memories of Brenda Davis and Richard Bishop. A local candlelight vigil is being planned in their honor as friends, neighbors, and relatives come to terms with their loss.
The tragic deaths of Brenda Lee Davis and Richard Lee Bishop serve as a grim reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence and gun-related crimes can have on families and communities. As the legal process moves forward and more details come to light, the hope remains that justice will be served for the lives taken too soon.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the West Virginia State Police Clay Detachment. The investigation remains active.
