Full Breakdown
Alabama Man Charged with Decapitating Aunt and Grandmother with Chainsaw
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Thomas Henry Steele, 47, is accused of killing his 65-year-old aunt, Christy Deloach, and his 85-year-old grandmother, Dora Boone, at their Mobile home on Carolina Court. Prosecutors allege Steele used a chainsaw to decapitate both victims after a relative called 911 to report erratic behavior. Steele was detained at the scene and is being held without bond in a secure medical facility while a competency evaluation is conducted. The evaluation, overseen by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, may take up to ninety days. An arraignment is set for mid-November before Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jay York.
Background & Context
A 911 transcript obtained by investigators indicated the caller described Steele as bipolar, having stopped taking lithium, and having given away his phone and vehicle. The caller also mentioned contacting the mental-health crisis line 988. Steele’s prior record includes several DUI convictions, the most recent in 2009. Police believe Steele resided in the home with the victims at the time of the killings.
Official Statements & Responses
Tara Zieman, communications director for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, said the defendant remains detained without bond while receiving treatment intended to restore competency for trial. She noted prosecutors have not yet decided whether to pursue additional charges related to Steele’s threat to “kill” the court-appointed public defender. Public defender Glenn Davidson confirmed he continues to represent Steele but declined to provide further details pending the competency results.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a terrible situation but I won’t have an official way to question anybody until we get to the preliminary hearing,” — Glenn Davidson, public defender
- “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,” — Tara Zieman, communications director, Mobile County District Attorney’s Office
- “Patients begin receiving restoration and treatment services immediately upon admission,” — Malissa Valdes, public information officer, Alabama Department of Mental Health
- “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,” — Lenny Zanghi, salon owner and longtime client of Christy Deloach
These statements and quotes summarize the known facts, the legal context, and the perspectives of officials directly involved in the case.