A Mobile man is facing two capital murder charges after authorities say he killed his aunt and grandmother with a chainsaw at their home on Carolina Court, hours after a relative called 911 to report concerns about his behavior.
Thomas Henry Steele, 47, is accused in the Oct. 12 deaths of Christy Deloach, 65, and Dora Boone, 85. Police found the two women dead inside the residence and detained Steele at the scene. A criminal complaint alleges the killings were carried out with a chainsaw, according to NBC 15 News.
Investigators believe Steele lived at the home with the two victims.
Outburst in Court
At an Oct. 13 bond and initial hearing, Circuit Judge S. Wesley Pipes ordered Steele to undergo an inpatient competency evaluation after Steele told the judge to “kill him” upon learning that public defender Glenn Davidson had been appointed to represent him.
Davidson confirmed to Fox News Digital that he remains Steele’s attorney but said he has little else to share while the evaluation proceeds.
“It’s a terrible situation but I won’t have an official way to question anybody until we get to the preliminary hearing,” Davidson said.
Tara Zieman, communications director for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors have not decided whether the courtroom remark will lead to additional charges, pending the outcome of the mental health review.
“The defendant is currently being held without bond at a secure medical facility, where he is receiving treatment intended to restore his competency to stand trial,” Zieman said. “If he is found competent, we will move forward with the prosecution and continue to advocate that he remain held without bond until resolution of the case.”
Evaluation Underway
The District Attorney’s Office says the competency evaluation could take up to 90 days and is being conducted through the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Malissa Valdes, public information officer for the department, told Fox News Digital that treatment begins as soon as a patient is admitted.
“Patients begin receiving restoration and treatment services immediately upon admission,” Valdes said. “Patients are referred for their evaluation once their symptoms are stable and they have completed the restoration program. This timeframe varies based on the patient’s treatment, clinical needs, and their symptoms.”
A Warning Call Hours Before
According to a 911 transcript obtained by AL.com, a relative called police hours before the bodies were discovered to report concerns about Steele. The caller said he had stopped taking lithium, had given away his phone, was discussing giving away his vehicle, and described him as bipolar who planned to “live for God.”
“He’s calm. He’s not violent or anything,” the caller told the dispatcher.
The caller also said she had tried contacting 988, the suicide and crisis hotline. The dispatcher gave her the non-emergency Mobile police number before ending the call.
Zieman said she did not know whether the victims or other family members had previously sought to have Steele committed for mental health observation. She said Steele’s prior criminal record includes several DUI cases, the most recent from 2009.
Remembering the Victims
Deloach worked for 15 years as a stylist at Mr. Sam’s Hair Fashions in Mobile. Salon owner Lenny Zanghi described her as hardworking and well-liked.
“Just a real sweet girl. Beautiful person. I considered her a friend. You know, she’d been with us for 15 years, and she cut my hair,” Zanghi told WKRG.
Neighbors said Deloach was kind and active in the community. She had also been caring for her mother, Dora Boone, since the death of her father, Phillip Boone. The Boones bought the Carolina Court home in 2014, according to Lagniappe Daily.
Steele is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. before Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jay York.
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