Cade Hyskell Accused of Killing 2 Neighbors Over Dead Bearded Dragon, Vowed to Hunt “13 Culprits”
On Monday morning a 38-year-old Lexington, North Carolina, man allegedly went on a killing rampage inside his neighbors’ mobile home.
Cade Addison Hyskell is now facing two counts of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary after authorities say he broke into the home on Cedar Grove Drive and stabbed 51-year-old Susie Kiger and 40-year-old Joshua Purvis to death.
Prosecutors say the bloodbath was triggered by the death of Hyskell’s bearded dragon.
“I’m Going to Find the 13 Culprits”
According to prosecutors, Hyskell allegedly told family members he was going to “seek out the 13 culprits” he believed were responsible for his pet lizard’s death.
The exact details of how or why the bearded dragon died haven’t been released yet.
It was around 7:47 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, when Davidson County deputies got a 911 call.
The caller claimed they had just broken into a home on Cedar Grove Drive and killed two people.
When deputies arrived, they found Hyskell standing in a neighboring yard. He allegedly refused to follow commands and was initially arrested for resisting an officer.
Deputies then did a welfare check on the unsecured mobile home… and walked into a bloodbath.
Inside, they found Kiger and Purvis — both longtime residents of the home — stabbed to death.
During his first court appearance in Davidson County District Court Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Hyskell was reportedly disruptive and emotional. The 38-year-old entered the courtroom in chains and repeatedly interrupted the judge and prosecutors with outbursts.
According to reporters in the courtroom, Hyskell laughed at times, appeared incredulous when the first-degree murder charges were read, and told an unintelligible story about his own life. He also stated that he did not understand the charges against him.
The hearing highlighted Hyskell’s lengthy criminal history, which includes prior charges for drugs, assault, robbery, and more dating back to 2004.
He remains held without bond and is scheduled to return to court on July 14.
