Man charged with murder and arson after fire

WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Murder and arson charges have been filed against a man accused of an incident that ended with death and a home burned to the ground in Fort Gay, West Virginia.

Daryl Riggs has been charged with manslaughter and arson following an incident reported Oct. 28 in the 2100 block of Mill Creek Road, according to court documents.

Court documents state Riggs made a confession in connection with the Nov. 3 death of Robert Estep.

Riggs has been charged with murder and arson, according to court documents.(wsaz)

During an interview with police, Riggs described the situation that turned deadly as a “drug deal gone bad.”

Riggs told officers that Estep pulled out a knife during their encounter along Mill Creek Road, but that he managed to kick the knife out of Estep’s hand after he was cut.

Officers said Riggs had a cut on his left hand and thumb.

Riggs then admitted to ‘cutting’ Estep three or four times around the abdomen before leaving.

According to the criminal complaint, when asked about Estep’s burning house after the incident, Riggs responded by saying, “Oh yeah, I had to do that. I came back to set the house on fire because I was scared,” officers said.

The remains of Robert Estep, 65, were found in the burned home, according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshals Office.

Riggs admitted to officers that he set the back porch on fire with a lighter.

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