| By Bob Weaver
State Police say Kirk Alan "Bucky" Miller, 32, a current resident of Salem, murdered Calhoun residents Mike and Julie Flanagan, both 52.
Police say Miller, who worked as a well tender near the Flanagan's residence on Sycamore Creek, confessed to the crimes.
Miller is claiming he shot the couple because of a drug deal gone bad, telling police he contemplated the murder for several weeks, according to the criminal complaint.
Miller was acquainted with the Flangan's for over two years.
Miller (pictured left) told police "He knew he had to shoot Mr. Flanagan."
The Flanagan's were murdered by shotgun blasts at close range on Easter Sunday.
Cpl. Fred Hammack told state media that officers found a marijuana grow operation in the Flanagan house.
Miller, in his confession, claims he was "assisting" Mr. Flanagan in distributing marijuana throughout the area, police said.
Cpl. Hammack told state media, Miller "Became very aggravated (about not being paid) and went there with a shotgun to shoot Mr. Flanagan."
Police have reportedly recovered the murder weapon.
In the criminal complaint, Miller states, after shooting the couple, he "went upstairs and looked through the victims belongings and dressers in their bedroom...looking for marijuana and money...he stated that he took two jars of marijuana and two Ruger .44 caliber pistols."
Flanagan's brother, Steve, told the Hur Herald his brother kept a considerable amount of cash at his house.
Police say they had more recently been re-directed toward investigating Miller, reportedly by information provided by family and friends, knowing that the murderer was someone who personally knew the Flanagans.
Flanagan's brother also told the Hur Herald that Miller had been to the residence and had lunch, indicating he had been in the vicinity at the time of the murders, a suspect from the beginning.
Officers also indicated Miller sold a gun he obtained from the Flanagan house to his boss.
Cpl. Hammack told MetroNews "It was a different guy from the beginning I thought had committed this crime," likely referring to John Cash, who was returned to WV on multiple drug charges.
Cash was cleared as a suspect.
State Police Sgt. Brad Snodgrass told the Parkersburg News that Miller was at his parents' home where he lived when arrested. He was taken to the Harrisville Detachment for questioning.
Miller initially denied knowing anything about the shooting. However, after a polygraph was administered, Miller confessed to the shootings, according to Snodgrass.
"He said Mike Flanagan owed him a substantial amount of money and kept coming up with excuses to not pay it," Snodgrass said.
Police said Miller told them the murder weapon and the stolen handguns were at his parents' home. A search warrant was obtained and the items were found "right where he said they'd be," Snodgrass said.
Cpl. Hammack in an interview with MetroNews said Miller was very cooperative.
State Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Baylous told state media "The couple had numerous friends up and down the east coast and traveled extensively," implying the Flanagans were drug dealing.
Sources close to the family say such was never the case, disputing Miller's allegations in his confession that he murdered them because of a deal gone bad.
Miller is being held in the Central Regional Jail without bond.
TRANSCRIPT: Criminal Complaint Filed By State Police/Miller's Confession
On April 14, 2009 I responded to 916 Left Fork Creek Road, Millstone WV to a possible double homicide. Upon arrival I observed two subjects one male and one female in the residence. Both subjects appeared to be deceased and the possible cause was gunshot.
West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Team arrived on scene and began to process the scene. It was determined that both subjects, identified as Mr. Michael Flanagan and his wife, Julie Flanagan, had been shot to death.
Evidence located at the scene, indicated that a shotgun of unknown caliber was used.
Other evidence at the scene indicated that the perpetrator was familiar with the deceased. There were no shell casings found at the scene.
The phone lines had been cut from inside the house and furniture had been moved from original or usual position.
It appeared that both victims were sitting when they were fatally wounded.
It also appeared that the upstairs bedroom had been pilfered through looking for something of value, as the dresser drawers were pulled out and some were on the bed.
Also [metal] tins and other containers were open.
During the course of the investigation it was revealed that Mr. Flanagan owned two Ruger .44 caliber RedHawk pistols. These firearms were not found at the scene. All other firearms owned by the victim were present.
During the course of the investigation it was determined that Mr. Flanagan was involved in the delivery of marijuana.
During the course of the investigation I discovered that Mr. Flanagan had dealings with a well tender named "Bucky" who tended wells in very close proximity to the Flanagan's home. "Bucky" was identified as Mr. Kirk Miller and worked for Ritchie Petroleum.
I spoke with the owner of Ritchie Petroleum, Kevin Snider who stated that he gave Mr. Miller $250 for a Ruger .44 caliber pistol since the murder of the Flanagans.
It was later determined by the WVSP crime lab that a 12 gauge shotgun was the probable weapon used in the commission of the murders.
On July 9, 2009, I interviewed Mr. Miller at WVSP in Harrisville. Mr. Miller stated that he had been selling marijuana for Mr. Flanagan since around Super Bowl Sunday.
Mr. Miller stated that Mr. Flanagan promised to split the money with him and would not keep his promise.
Mr. Miller stated that he asked Mr. Flanagan repeatedly about his payment but was always dismissed by the victim.
Mr. Miller stated that he had thought about killing Mr. Flanagan for several weeks prior to his death.
Mr. Miller went on to say that the couple days before the murder he knew he had to shoot Mr. Flanagan.
Mr. Miller went on to say that he traveled to the Flanagan's home with the intent to shoot Mr. Flanagan.
Mr. Miller stated that when he arrived, there was a brief confrontation as Mr. Flanagan did not know who he was.
Mr. Miller stated that once Mr. Flanagan recognized him, he welcomed him in.
Mr. Miller stated that he had a 12 gauge shotgun with him and offered to sell it to Mr. Flanagan.
Mr. Miller stated that Mr. Flanagan did want to purchase the gun, and Mr. Miller stated that this angered him as Mr. Flanagan did not have money to pay him for selling marijuana but he had money to purchase a firearm.
Mr. Miller stated that he walked out to his truck and loaded the shotgun without the Flanagans knowing.
Mr. Miller stated that he walked back in the house and shot both Mike and Julie Flanagan multiple times.
Mr. Miller stated that he cut the phone lines and picked up the discharged shells.
Mr. Miller stated that he went upstairs and looked through the victims belongings and dressers in their bedroom.
Mr. Miller stated that he was looking for marijuana and money. Mr. Miller stated that he took two jars of marijuana and two Ruger .44 caliber pistols.
(Signed) F L. Hammack/D. P. Starcher
CALHOUN CITIZENS CAN REST EASIER - Miller Arrested For Calhoun Double Murder
| 
