Today In Awful Stories Involving Fiery Decapitation

When York County (Va.) Sheriff Danny Diggs says things like "Nobody has ever heard of anything like this. It's a really bizarre incident," people listen. As well they should.

In this case, a 46-year-old guy moved from Chicago to be with his estranged wife and teenage daughter and middle-school-aged son. He apparently stayed with the fam on Monday, but then the wife said he'd have to find his own place, per Diggs. Enter law enforcement. Enter horror.

[Police] were talking with the ex-wife when a deputy saw a white Ford Explorer towing a utility trailer. The trailer was on fire, and a man identified as her ex-husband was behind the wheel.

Firefighters arrived, and authorities attempted to get the man to exit the SUV. That's when they noticed a cable tied to a nearby tree was wrapped around his neck.

Officers pleaded with the man to surrender, but instead he hit the gas. He was pulled from the vehicle, and his head was yanked clean off his body. The vehicle continued moving for about 150 yards.

That last detail, the whole distance "the vehicle continued moving" thing, was totally over-the-top. (H/T tipster Wade)

Father Decapitates Himself, Sets Fire [ABC News]

Man dies in grisly suicide [Virginia Gazette]

Man in Virginia uses cable to decapitate self after argument with ex-wife: cops [New York Daily News]