Prosecutors said Cade Addison Hyskell blamed others after finding his bearded dragon dead.
LEXINGTON, N.C. — Prosecutors said Tuesday that a Lexington man accused of killing two neighbors became fixated on his dead bearded dragon before a fatal break-in at a Cedar Grove Drive home.
The allegation gave the first public account of a possible motive in the deaths of Susie Kiger, 51, and Joshua Purvis, 40. Cade Addison Hyskell, 38, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary. The charges followed a Monday morning 911 call and a welfare check by Davidson County deputies.
Authorities said the call came in at about 7:47 a.m. Monday from someone reporting that a person had claimed to have broken into a home and killed two people. Deputies found Hyskell in a nearby yard and arrested him after they said he did not follow commands. They then entered the home after finding the doors unsecured. Kiger and Purvis were found dead inside. Both were residents of the home.
At Hyskell’s first appearance, prosecutors said he had found his pet bearded dragon dead and told family members he was going to seek out the “13 culprits” he believed were responsible. Officials have not released evidence showing how the animal died. They also have not said what connection, if any, Kiger and Purvis had to the pet. The claim remains part of the state’s early account as the case begins moving through court.
The hearing also placed Hyskell’s conduct before a judge. Reports from the courtroom described him as disruptive and emotional while the charges were read. Prosecutors also referred to a criminal history dating back years, including prior cases involving drugs, assault and robbery. Those prior matters are separate from the new murder case and do not decide guilt in the current charges.
Hyskell is being held without bond on the murder charges. The first-degree murder counts carry the most serious penalties under North Carolina law. The burglary charge is tied to the alleged unlawful entry into the victims’ home. Investigators have not released the full timeline inside the residence, the weapon recovered or the final autopsy findings.
The next step is a July 14 court date, when the case is expected to return before a judge. Detectives are continuing to review the scene, statements and physical evidence. Prosecutors have not announced whether additional filings will be made before that hearing.
For now, the case stands as a double homicide with an unusual alleged trigger. Two residents are dead, one neighbor is jailed, and unanswered questions remain about the pet’s death and the events that led to the stabbings.
Author note: Last updated July 1, 2026.