PONCE DE LEON — Joshua Brandyn Gaskey already was wanted in Escambia County for stealing checks from a church when he authorities believe he killed Sheley and Jacqulyn Brooks in a home on Grant Road in Holmes County.
He was arrested in Escambia County the same day Jacqulyn Brooks was found dead and Sheley mortally wounded.
A Walton County sheriff’s deputy actually was the first law officer on the scene.
Grant Road in Ponce de Leon is near the Walton-Holmes county line, and a deputy was about 3 miles from the crime at 5:55 p.m. when he received a call for assistance, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
The deputy entered the home through a sliding glass door and reported finding Jacqulyn Brooks dead in a chair.
Sheley Brooks was “approximately 5 feet away from Jacqulyn sitting in his chair,” the report said. “Sheley had labored breathing and was not conscious.”
Two Holmes County deputies joined the Walton deputy shortly, according to reports released by both agencies. They searched the home and secured the crime scene.
Sheley Brooks was taken to Bay Medical Sacred Heart in Panama City. He was discharged later and died Tuesday evening at another location, according to the Holmes County Sheriffs’ Office.
Gaskey, 28, of Pensacola, eventually will be moved from Escambia to Holmes County to face murder charges, according to Holmes County Lt. Adrienne Odum.
Gaskey also faces charges for a probation violation in Santa Rosa County.
The deceased couple are the parents of Walton County Deputy Administrator Dede Hinote.