Father Of Fauquier Teen Accused In Killings Found Dead In Home

FAUQUIER COUNTY, VA — The father of a Virginia teen accused of killing his mother and 6-year-old brother earlier this year was found dead in his home on Monday, according to a statement released by the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Tuesday.

Deputies conducting a welfare check Monday afternoon in the 12800 Block of Elk Run Road at the request of concerned family members found the body of Joshua Norwood, 37 of Midland, inside the home.

Norwood is the father of Levi Norwood, 17, who is accused of killing his mother, Jennifer Norwood, 34, and brother, Wyatt, in February. In February, Joshua Norwood told police when he entered his home before 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, he saw his wife and younger son dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Joshua Norwood was then shot before calling 911 and fleeing the home. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

After the incident, Levi Norwood ran out of the house and traveled on foot for about 10 miles, where he stole a car, according to the sheriff's department, which used a dog to track his movement's after leaving the house. Levi Norwood then went to Durham, North Carolina in the stolen car, where he was caught shoplifting at a Target, according to police.

The cause of death is currently under investigation. Foul play is not suspected, official said.

An aunt of Joshua Norwood, Victoria Eaton, told NBC Washington thatLevi Norwood had trouble at home. "It was not an easy home life for him," Eaton said in the interview. "I very much want to hear what Levi has to say about the events that occurred."

Despite noting that Norwood had troubles at home, Eaton added, "I just feel like there would have been some red flags to something so heinous."

Classmates of Levi Norwood recounted stories that Levi Norwood would tell them about his parents' views on race. He reportedly feared bringing home friends who were African American because of his parents' racism, teens told the Washington Post. In an interview with the newspaper, a classmate said Norwood's parents didn't have a problem with Asian kids like him, but they would say derogatory things about black students.

Norwood's parents were "really prejudiced, as much as I hate to say this," a relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the newspaper.

The relative also said Josh Norwood was upset that Levi was dating a black girl.

In an interview with the Post, Josh Norwood denied being a white supremacist. He admitted to posting a white supremacist motto on his Facebook page in 2014 but said it was "nothing that I believe or stand for."