Prosecutors say a man decapitated his grandmother and aunt with a chainsaw, then told a judge, “Kill him,” when asked about a lawyer.
Story Snapshot
- Police found two women dead in a Mobile, Alabama home and detained a male relative at the scene.
- A criminal complaint alleges both victims were decapitated with a chainsaw during one course of conduct.
- The judge denied bond and ordered a mental competency evaluation after a tense first hearing.
- The district attorney brought two capital murder charges tied to the family relationship.
Capital Charges Rooted In A Grisly Allegation
Mobile County prosecutors charged Steele with two counts of capital murder after two women were found dead in a home on the 2400 block of Carolina Court on October 12, 2026. Court documents identify the victims as Christy DeLoach and Dora Boone, Steele’s aunt and grandmother. The criminal complaint alleges Steele decapitated both women using a chainsaw “by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct,” which fits the capital-murder framework under Alabama law.
Mobile Police Department officers responded at about 1:36 p.m. and found both victims deceased. Officers detained Steele at the scene. Investigators said evidence pointed to intentional killings with a bladed instrument, a description that tracks with the complaint’s chainsaw allegation. The arrest advanced quickly to a first court appearance and then to capital charges. The case moved into a secure posture with Steele in jail and without bond while the court set next steps.
First Appearance Shocks The Courtroom
The initial hearing sent a jolt through the courtroom. When asked if he could hire an attorney, Steele said “No.” When the judge asked about appointing a public defender, Steele replied, “Kill him.” The judge halted the exchange, denied bond, and ordered a mental competency evaluation. That decision keeps the public safe while the court determines if Steele understands the process and can help his lawyer plan a defense, a routine step in severe cases with red flags.
Reporters said the judge also addressed courtroom security and procedure after the outburst. The court’s response aligned with basic order and duty-of-care principles: protect the public, preserve the process, and ensure the defendant receives a fair and lawful hearing. The ruling for no bond matches common sense in double-homicide cases, especially those alleged against close relatives. Alabama’s capital framework treats family-targeted killings as among the most serious crimes.
Police Account And The Evidence Path Ahead
The police account states investigators tied Steele to intentional killings with a bladed instrument and that he was present when officers arrived. The complaint adds the chainsaw detail and the method of death. Prosecutors often speak carefully at this stage to avoid harming the investigation. Expect later filings to detail the autopsies, scene work, and any tool marks or trace evidence that support the chainsaw allegation. Those steps typically take weeks to complete and review.
One report described a 911 call made earlier in the day that raised concerns about Steele’s condition and medication. That record adds context, not a legal excuse. Prosecutors can seek a conviction while the court also handles mental-health questions, including competency to stand trial. Competency focuses on the here and now. Responsibility at the time of the crime is a separate legal issue, and it requires expert evidence and a very high bar to meet in court.
What Matters Next For Justice And Public Safety
Prosecutors will move to secure the case with forensics, medical-examiner findings, and any statements or digital records. Defense counsel will examine the scene work, chain-of-custody logs, and autopsy reports for gaps or errors. The judge will get the competency report and set hearings. This is how a strong system should work: facts first, then law, with safety and fairness in balance. The public can expect further details when filings and hearings put evidence on the record.
UPDATE: The Mobile Police Department has released the names of two women who died Monday in a double homicide. In case you missed it: 🔗 #linkinbio for story pic.twitter.com/coTDG5iW1F
— WKRG (@WKRG) October 14, 2026
Conservative values call for clear lines: protect the innocent, punish the guilty, and do both under the law. The state’s swift move to hold without bond protects the community. The competency check guards the integrity of the trial. The complaint’s chainsaw claim is as serious as it gets, and it demands careful proof. When the science, the scene, and the timeline align, justice can move fast and firm. Until then, the case sits where it should—under a judge’s eye.
Sources:
nypost.com, wkrg.com, mynbc15.com, wbrc.com
