POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

West Virginia Police Say Man Killed While Attacking Woman was Suspected Serial Killer

Police believe Neal Falls, 45, of Springfield, Oregon, could be connected to other crimes around the country. They said Monday the items in Falls’ car, among other things, might connect him to several deaths in Southern Ohio.

July 26, 2015
West Virginia Police Say Man Killed While Attacking Woman was Suspected Serial Killer

Suspected serial killer Neal Falls, 45, of Oregon was killed with his own gun when he attacked a woman. (Photo: Charleston PD)


Police on Wednesday identified the man who was shot dead Saturday July 18 by a Charleston, West Virginia, woman after he attacked her, and released photos of guns, knives and other weapons and items from his vehicle.

Police believe Neal Falls, 45, of Springfield, Oregon, could be connected to other crimes around the country. They said Monday the items in Falls’ car, among other things, might connect him to several deaths in Southern Ohio. Several axes, a shovel, a pistol, knives, a machete, bleach, a pair of boots, handcuffs, and a bulletproof vest were among items in the car, according to police

Ad Loading...


.

“We are releasing Mr. Falls’ name and photograph, as well as details about the incident. Our hope in doing so is that if there are any other victims of Mr. Falls between here and Oregon that the information may be valuable to law enforcement,” Lt. Steve Cooper, the Charleston Police Department’s chief of detectives, told the Gazette Mail .

Falls was killed Saturday by a woman he met on Backpage.com, a site often used to find escorts, after he attacked her at a house on Charleston’s West Side, according to police. The woman reportedly used Falls’ gun to kill him after he beat and choked her.

Some of the items found in the car of suspected serial killer Neal Falls.


In an interview exclusive to Huffington Post crime reporter David Lohr, a Charleston police lieutenant says Falls could be connected to unsolved murders in the Las Vegas area, including those of three women who were found dismembered, KGW TV reports.

"We received information that caused a conversation to take place between us and law enforcement in Henderson, Nevada," Lt. Steve Cooper told Lore.

Cooper did not elaborate as the investigation is ongoing.

But Lore learned that Falls lived in the Henderson area at about the time an escort there was murdered. And police have long believed that her death was connected to the deaths of two other escorts in Las Vegas and the disappearance of another.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →
black background width image of police lights in middle and headline Dashcam Video Officers rescue Man from Burning Car
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car

Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.

Read More →
blue background with image of a red dot sight and also second image of the red dot on a handgun lower right
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year

The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor, with headline text featuring Axon
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 16, 2025

From the Show Floor: Axon

Join POLICE as we visit with Abi Stock, of Axon, to learn about the company’s latest technology offerings, such as Axon Assistant, Form One, and the DFR integration with Skydio.

Read More →
side view of a ballistic helmet in studio setting, black background, with sparks and smoke
PatrolNovember 16, 2025

Back Face Deformation, Brain Injury and Ballistic Helmets – Why the “Dent Doesn’t Matter” Claim Ignores Science

Alex Poythress, co-founder and CEO of Ballistic Armor Co., explains why ballistic helmet buyers should insist on full test data, including BFD measurements, standoff distance, and padding configuration, rather than rely solely on penetration ratings.

Read More →
Pink Streamlight Wedge XT flashlight.
PatrolNovember 13, 2025

Streamlight Marks 15 Years of Support for Breast Cancer Research Foundation With $20k Donation

In its 15th year of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Streamlight donated $20,000 to help in the fight against cancer. Donations were generated through the sale of special Wedge XT models and other pink flashlights.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
center circle image of PTSD Help Expanded surrounded by military and first responder images
PatrolNovember 11, 2025

Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans

Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.

Read More →