Commonwealth v. Daniel Edwin Van Dyke; Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Stabbing Stepfather to Death

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Daniel Edwin Van Dyke, age 40, formerly of the 1300 block of Graylyn Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, pled guilty and was sentenced today for charges of Second Degree Murder and Unlawful Wounding- Stabbing in the Commission of a Felony.  Circuit Court Judge Randall Smith accepted the plea agreement and imposed a sentence of 45 years in prison, with 23 years suspended, leaving 22 years to serve.  This is above the high end of the recommendation of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines.  The plea agreement was reached after the victim’s family was consulted and in support.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proven that officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence. The caller advised emergency dispatch that her son, Daniel Van Dyke, had stabbed her husband, Roy Stackhouse. Officers observed the victim lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood, deceased. Officers called out to Van Dyke, who responded from a bathroom shower. He complied with commands to get out of the shower and was taken into custody. Van Dyke immediately began making incriminating statements.

During an interview with detectives, Van Dyke admitted that he and his stepdad had a verbal altercation regarding food. He stated that he retrieved a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times. He then text messaged his girlfriend and called his brother and admitted what he did.

Van Dyke has prior convictions for Drug Paraphernalia and Reckless Driving.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy Alexander and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Megan M. Lang and Robin D. Bland prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.