Tracey Atwell Suspected Of Murdering Wife, Amber Alert Issued For His Daughter

[Whisper]

Tracey Atwell

UpDATE: Abducted girl reportedly OK as police say father let family speak to her

West Virginia State Police said Friday night that Tracey Atwell called his family earlier in the day and allowed them to speak with his daughter, Porshia. At that time, she was reportedly okay.
[...]

http://www.wvnstv.com/story/17437151...veral-counties


Amber Alert

Missing From: Camp Creek, WV
Missing Date: 04/12/2012 12:00 AM Eastern
Issued for: West Virginia: Statewide
Contact: If you have information, please contact West Virginia State Police, 304-425-2101
Circumstances: We have just received this important announcement regarding an abducted child in Princeton, Mercer County. The West Virginia State Police are looking for Porshia Atwell. Porshia was last seen at Camp Creek, West Virginia, and is believed to be in extreme danger. The child was last seen wearing unknown clothing. Authorities advise the child was likely abducted by her father, Tracey Atwell. They may be traveling in the listed vehicle. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Porshia Atwell, please contact the West Virginia State Police at 304-425-2101 or your local 911 or SP on your cell phone.

Missing Child
Name: Porshia Atwell
Alias:
Hair Color: Strawberry blonde Eye Color:
Skin Color: White Age: 8YO
Height: 4FT2 Weight: 75LBS
Gender: Female
Description: It is unknown what the child was last seen wearing.

Suspect
Name: Tracey Lee Atwell
Alias:
Hair Color: Eye Color: Hazel
Skin Color: White Age: 49YO
Height: 6FT2 Weight: 180LBS
Gender: Male
Description:

Vehicle Information
Make: Jeep Model: Cherokee Laredo
Color: White Interior Color:
License State: WV License Text: 6C 3202
Vehicle Description:

http://www.ncmec.org/missingkids/ser...&amberId=10069

There is an active Amber Alert for Porshia Atwell, 8, of Camp Creek, West Virginia, after her father abducted her from her home, after allegedly killing her mother, reports WVNSTV news.

Porshia's father, Tracey Lee Atwell, 38, entered the home of his parents on Beckley Road in the Spanishburg area on Thursday afternoon and told them that he had killed his wife (Porshia's mother). He then tied his parent's up, robbed them and took Porshia, who was living in the home.

“It is believe that Tracy Atwell tied up his parents, robbed and stole their 1999 white Grand Cherokee Laredo,” Sgt. J.A. Amos with the West Virginia State Police said. “He then abducted his eight-year-old daughter. His parents had custody of her at the time. He advised his parents he had killed his wife before he robbed them. [...]
When police responded to the scene of his home, they found his wife, Christina dead. There is a massive manhunt underway in reference to the murder, kidnapping and robbery.”

http://www.examiner.com/missing-pers...#ixzz1rz8Fy6AY

Porshia Atwell

[...]
The father of Tracey Atwell and grandfather of Porshia. He said he just wants Tracey to leave Porshia somewhere safe. Stay with 59News for updates.
The search is on for a man who allegedly killed his wife, robbed his parents and kidnapped his daughter.

Tracey Atwell, 38, is on the run from officers and is believed to be armed and dangerous.

State troopers said it happened around 3 p.m. Thursday.
He fled the scene in a 1999 White Jeep Cherokee Laredo, with his 8-year-old daughter Porshia.
He does not have custodial rights.

Troopers are askin you to be on the lookout for Tracey and Porshia Atwell and his vehicle.
The jeep is registered in West Virginia under license plate 6C3202.


Authorities say that at approximately 3:00 p.m. Thursday, Tracey Atwell went to his parents' home, tied them up, robbed them and kidnapped his 8-year-old daughter Porshia, who he does not have custody of, and told his parents that he had killed his wife.

Police believe Atwell is driving a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Loredo, white in color, with WV license plate 6C3 202.

http://www.wvnstv.com/story/17402375...idnapping-case

[Tundratot]

Killed his non-custodial ex, and tied up his custodial parents to kidnap his daughter. He's a sicko. He'd better be out of state by now or he's likely to be hunted down with dogs and dead by morning.

[piXyNinjette]

They found her alive! Video at link
http://www.wsaz.com/breaking/home/BR...147249285.html

UPDATE 4/14/12 @ 4:45 p.m.
MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- An Amber Alert for a missing 8-year-old girl has been canceled. Porshia Atwell now back with her family, according to Kanawha County dispatchers.

Dispatchers also say the girl's father, Tracey Atwell, is now in police custody.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.

UPDATE 4/13/12 @ 6:20 p.m.
MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- An amber alert issued for an 8-year-old girl is still in full force Friday night.

State Police say Porshia Atwell was kidnapped Thursday by her father, Tracey Atwell.

They say he killed Porschia's mother, Christina, and then went to his parents’ home in Camp Creek, tied them up and took Porshia with him. Tracey does not have custody of the girl and police believe she is in extreme danger.

Troopers believe Tracey is driving a white 1999 Jeep Cherokee Laredo with the license plate number is 6C3202, and that he is armed with a gun.

Elizabeth McKinney, who lives right down the road from Tracey’s parents’ home, doesn't typically stay outside with her son while he plays.

“Today I feel like I need to be out here and be more hands on,” McKinney said. “You don't know where this person is, and obviously we don't know what this person's capable of either.”

“I just don't understand what made him do it,” Gerald Rose, a neighbor said. “Him killing his wife and tying his mother and daddy up. It's awful.”

Like most neighbors, Rose has been watching police search high and low for Tracey, who they haven't dealt with since 2005.

That's when according to court records, he was arrested in connection with burglary and destruction of property. Both charges were dismissed.

The list of charges this time will no doubt be much longer. Before they can even get to that, though, police and neighbors just want to make sure Porshia is safe.

“Unfortunately somebody died from this and a little girl's life, who knows, hangs in the balance,” McKinney said.

WSAZ.com approached Tracey’s family Friday to see if there was anything they wanted to say, but they had no comment.

[Whisper]

Thanks for the update Im glad shes o.k was wondering about her a little while ago

[Whisper]

Christina Atwell, Porshia's mother

[piXyNinjette]

BOND DENIED!!!!!!! =) Video at link
http://www.wsaz.com/breaking/home/BR...147249285.html

UPDATE 4/16/12 @ 1:25 p.m.
MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A father from Mercer County charged in the death of his wife and kidnapping his daughter will stay behind bars.

Tracy Atwell appeared before a judge Monday at the Mercer County Courthouse. Atwell's attorneys asked the judge to set bond, but that motion was denied.

Atwell didn't show much emotion as he faced the judge, Monday. The defense cited several reasons for the judge to grant bond: Atwell's 14-year residency in Mercer County, his family connections in Mercer County, the fact his daughter was not hurt, and the pair never actually left the county.

The state believed Atwell was a flight risk and also cited his history of domestic violence.

The judge denied the request, citing the seriousness of the allegations. The judge also said that even though Atwell has family in the area who he could stay with, the judge considers them victims too.

Atwell faces along list of charges including first and second degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, concealment of a child and grand larceny.

State Police say Atwell killed Christina Marie Atwell, 33, in a home on Browning School Road in Mercer County Thursday. Investigators say after he killed Christina, he went to his parents’ home in Camp Creek, tied them up and took his daughter, Porsche with him. Tracy does not have custody of the girl and police believed she was in extreme danger. That's when a massive search got underway and an Amber Alert was issued.

After nearly a three-day manhunt, Atwell was captured by police, Saturday. His daughter Porsche was found safe and sound.

During Monday's hearing, Atwell's attorney also asked for his client to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

After taking a moment to control himself and wiping back tears, a Mercer County man told a circuit court judge Thursday how he “just snapped” the day he strangled his wife.

Tracy Lee Atwell, 39, of Spanishburg, was arrested after the April 7, 2012 murder of his wife, 33-year-old Christine Atwell, and the abduction of his 8-year-old daughter, Porsche. The child was found safe after an extensive search by the West Virginia State Police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies.

Atwell appeared Thursday for a plea hearing before Mercer County Circuit Court Judge Derek Swope and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder with recommendation of mercy, and abduction of a child by a family member. Under first-degree murder with mercy, Atwell could be eligible for parole in 15 years. There is no guarantee that parole would be granted. He also faces a term of one to five years on the abduction charge.
[...]

The only way to be discharged from a life sentence is to die in prison, Swope said. Receiving a recommendation of mercy would not end the possibility of spending life in prison even if parole was granted.

“If you get parole and you violate it, you have do go back the rest of your life,” the judge said.

“Yes, sir,” Atwell replied.
[...]

“I don’t deny I killed Christina,” he said, adding he “just snapped” and killed her “in a fit of rage” during an argument.

Atwell denied he murdered his wife to obtain a Social Security check.

“He said he wasn’t happy about her relationships with other men and was concerned about his daughter,” Williamson said later.

Tracy and Christine Atwell were still married in April 2012, but living at separate residences, Williamson said. Steps had been taken to obtain a divorce, but Williamson did not know how far the process had proceeded.

A trial would also have shown how Atwell went to his parents’ home on April 11, 2012, confessed to killing Christina Atwell and told his father he wanted to turn himself in, but wanted to see his daughter because he knew he was going to spend the rest of his life in prison. But on April 12, he robbed his parents at gunpoint, tied them up, and took $100 before taking their Jeep and fleeing with his daughter, Williamson said. Christina Atwell’s body was later found at her home in Rock.

During the search, Atwell would cover the Jeep with tree branches whenever he heard a helicopter approach, Williamson said. Porsche pleaded to be taken home.

http://bdtonline.com/local/x15430527...l-just-snapped