Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Homicide Unit Arrests Man for Murder of Family Member

Date Posted: Monday, June 16th, 2025

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has arrested 46-year-old Daniel Steele in connection with the murder of a relative Sunday evening in Millsboro.

On June 15, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a residence in the 22000 block of Phillips Hill Road to check on the welfare of a 75-year-old woman after a concerned family member reported not being able to contact her for several days. When troopers arrived on the scene, they located the victim unresponsive on the couch. Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene and confirmed that the woman was deceased. Steele, who was also inside the home, was taken into custody without incident.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Steele was involved in a physical altercation with the victim inside the residence. During the confrontation, he assaulted the woman until she lost consciousness. No attempt was made to seek medical assistance following the incident.

Steele was transported to Troop 4, where he was charged with Murder First Degree. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.