Man lies about death of wife, daughter - collects money | Crime

OPP, AL (WSFA) - Citizens who opened their hearts and their pocket books to a man claiming his wife and child were killed in a car accident are now being asked to call police after the man's family was found alive and well.

Authorities in Opp say Michael Shawn Mcintire was given money and gifts after he told locals, including church and citizen groups, that his wife and 3-year-old daughter were killed in a car accident after they were struck by a drunk driver in West Virginia.

Mcintire told the Andalusia Star News, in a very detailed account, that he was walking home to Landmark, West Virginia from attending his family's funeral in Oklahoma. He even described what he said was his last conversation with his wife and child before they died.

Mcintire was walking through Covington County pulling a wagon containing his remaining "worldly possessions" when he started to tell his story. Opp Police say they started getting tips about the man and his tale and decided to investigate. Mcintire's wife and daughter were located alive and well in Arkansas - proving his story to be false.

Mcintire has been arrested and charged with Theft of Property By Deception for accepting money for his alleged tall tales.

The Opp Police Department is now asking that anyone that may have given money or gifts after hearing or reading the story of Michael Shawn Mcintire's wife and daughter being killed to please contact any investigator at the Opp Police Department by calling 334-493-4511.