Institute , Kanawha County , West Virginia

We're learning more about a murder-suicide investigation underway in Kanawha County. Detectives say a man shot and killed himself after they showed up at his apartment in Institute with a search warrant.

It all happened at 107 on Barron Drive in Institute, just feet away from West Virginia State University's campus.

Kanawha County deputies held a press conference Friday morning, saying that victim in that murder is 53-year old Carol Ann Rhim of Institute and the suspect who shot himself inside that apartment is 54-year old Nathaniel Roy Lawton, also of Institute.

Detectives say when they entered that apartment, they found Lawton fatally shot; he died on scene.

Detectives believe Lawton murdered Rhim on Tuesday before dismembering her body with a hacksaw on Wednesday and later dispersing the remaining parts in unknown locations. We're told the victim's head and hands were found inside a tan colored Lincoln Town car outside of that apartment, and the search continues for the body parts that are not accounted for.

Portions of the victim's body as well as the body of Lawton have been sent to the West Virginia Medical Examiner's office for further examination. Investigators do not yet know the manner in which Rhim died.

The preliminary investigation indicates Lawton acted alone in the murder.

How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

---

Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.