Police Magazine 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)

2 min to read



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.

More Patrol

Hands insert an Adept Armor protective plate into a camouflage tactical plate carrier, demonstrating how the armor plate fits inside the vest.
PatrolSeptember 17, 2026

Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates

Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.

Read More →
Open Benchmade folding knife with a bronze-colored blade, textured dark handle, and braided lanyard resting on weathered wooden boards.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamSeptember 17, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout

The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.

Read More →
Officer of the Month graphic honoring Deputy Lorne Juday of the Osceola County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office for July 2026, featuring a portrait of Juday in uniform.
PatrolSeptember 17, 2026

NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month

NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Streamlight promotional graphic featuring the LiteBox 1 Million handheld light and Portable Scene Light III, highlighting products displayed for the 2026 National Safety Council Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, Sept. 14–16.
PatrolSeptember 10, 2026

Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026

Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.

Read More →
Graphic promoting the 2027 World Police & Fire Games in Perth, Australia, featuring an aerial city view and photos of international participants carrying Brazilian and Australian flags.
PatrolSeptember 10, 2026

The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia

The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.

Read More →
New York City skyline at night with the Tribute in Light beams illuminating the sky in remembrance of September 11, with the 5.11 logo in the upper left.
PatrolSeptember 10, 2026

5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343

5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Team Wendy graphic announcing sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation, featuring a black-and-white photo of Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore, whose end of watch was November 11, 2023.
PatrolAugust 27, 2026

Team Wendy Announces Title Sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation

Team Wendy’s 3-year partnership with the Jorge Pastore Foundation expands access to programs that strengthen those who serve.

Read More →
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund graphic for the 2026 9/11 commemoration ceremony beside a close-up of a police officer’s badge, with blurred emergency lights in the background.
PatrolAugust 27, 2026

National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Hosting 9/11 25th-Year Commemoration Ceremony

The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum is hosting a 9/11 25th Year Commemoration Ceremony on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.

Read More →
Officer of the Month graphic for June 2026 honoring officers of the Chico, California, Police Department, featuring the department’s police badge and a rose emblem.
PatrolAugust 20, 2026

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Announces June 2026 Officers of the Month

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) named 15 officers of the Chico Police Department (California) as the Officers of the Month for June 2026 for their roles in responding to an active-shooter incident at a public library.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Three smartphone screens display the Team Wendy community app, featuring tactical gear content, upcoming events, news, surveys, and navigation tools for warranty, sizing, and user profiles.
PatrolAugust 13, 2026

Team Wendy App Creates New Digital Hub for Helmet Owners

The Team Wendy Community App provides one location for warranty registration, size-fit tools, product updates, and community connection. For helmet owners, the new app creates a simpler path to the information and tools that matter most.

Read More →