Man Charged in ‘Gruesome’ Chainsaw Decapitations of Grandmother and Aunt Makes Disturbing 2-Word Remark in Court

A 47-year-old man from Mobile, Alabama, has been charged with capital murder following the horrific deaths of his grandmother and aunt, who were allegedly decapitated using a chainsaw. Thomas Steele was arrested on Monday, October 12, 2023, after authorities responded to a report of a death investigation at a residence on Carolina Court.

According to reports from the Mobile Police Department, officers arrived at the scene shortly after 1:30 p.m. and found the bodies of two women, identified as 85-year-old Dora Boone and her 65-year-old daughter, Christy Deloach. Investigators stated that Steele was at the home and was found to have used a “bladed instrument” to intentionally cause their deaths. It has since been confirmed that the instrument in question was a chainsaw.

The events leading up to the gruesome incident unfolded earlier that morning when a woman, who has not been named, called 911 to express concerns about Steele’s behaviour. During the call, she explained that her nephew appeared to be “off his medication for Lithium” and was acting irrationally. She reported that he had been engaging in bizarre behaviour, such as giving away his personal belongings, and suggested that he believed he was living for a higher purpose. Nevertheless, she assured the dispatcher that he was not violent at that time.

In this unsettling call, the woman described Steele as calm, stating, “He’s not violent or anything. So, I guess I’ll just let it play itself out.” Following the conversation with the dispatcher, who directed her to contact the police department, the woman did not manage to secure help for Steele in time to prevent the tragic events that would follow.

During Steele’s initial court appearance two days later, he reportedly made a disturbing statement. After being assigned a public defender, Steele allegedly uttered the words “Kill him,” which prompted the judge to remove him from the courtroom. He is currently being held without bond as he awaits further legal proceedings, including a mental competency evaluation that will ascertain his fitness for trial.

Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood discussed the unsettling nature of the case, labelling the slayings as “gruesome.” While he confirmed that Steele lived with his grandmother and aunt, he did not provide additional details about the incident, stating that further information would be revealed as the case developed.

Court documents have outlined that the two victims died as a result of Steele’s actions, which have shocked the local community. The nature of the crime has left residents in disbelief, as they grapple with the implications of such violence occurring within a family unit.

The tragedy has not only impacted the victims’ family but has also raised critical questions regarding mental health interventions and the responsibilities of those who may witness erratic behaviour in loved ones. The alarmingly late response to Steele’s apparent distress serves as a grim reminder of the importance of timely mental health support.

As prosecutors prepare to present their case against Steele, attention will also be focused on the mental health aspects of the allegations. While his public defender has yet to comment on the case, the forthcoming evaluation by the Alabama Department of Mental Health is expected to play a vital role in the legal process ahead.

The double homicide has sparked conversations around mental health resources and crisis intervention, underscoring a need for better support systems for individuals grappling with mental illness and their families. This shocking incident may well serve as a catalyst for community discussions about the urgent need for awareness and proactive measures to address such complex and sensitive issues.

As this case continues to unfold, the community of Mobile, Alabama, remains in mourning for the loss of two beloved family members and seeks to understand how such a tragedy could occur within the confines of their neighbourhood.