Charles Town, WV Area Cold Cases
Name
Chopan ByrdAge
16Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
On december 23, 1975, a truck driver discovered a body in a field on the east side of maryland route 75, about 200 feet north of maryland route 144, 1/2 mile east of new market. The victim, identified as chopan byrd from baltimore, md, had been shot to death. Two individuals were arrested at the time, but the cases were never tried due to lack of evidence.Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Robert HackeyAge
41Cause of Death
Blunt ForceInfo
Robert hackey was struck by a vehicle while walking. The driver fled the scene, and the case is being investigated as manslaughter by motor vehicle.Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Homer HarrisAge
55Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
Homer harris was found in a parking area along gas house pike. Investigators believed he was killed by an acquaintance.Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Paul LentzAge
14Cause of Death
StabbingInfo
Paul lentz’s body was found in a drainage ditch on 6/18/1975 in frederick county, md he had died from a stab wound it is unclear how he left home or how his body reached the locationAgency
Maryland State Police
Name
John LloydAge
48Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
John lloyd, a constable, was shot and killed through the window of his sister’s home in frederick county, md, on 4/27/1945Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Roy LewisAge
Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
Roy lewis’s remains were found in sabillasville, frederick county, mdAgency
Maryland State Police
Name
Charles MoatesAge
73Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
Charles moates, a magistrate, was shot in his workshop in frederick county, md two suspects were identified, but the case never went to trialAgency
Maryland State Police
Name
Mildred WagonerAge
45Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
On 12/29/1993, her husband reported her death to her father, who then contacted the police. She was found in her bed in the 2400 block of dargan school road with an apparent gunshot wound. Other family members were present in the home.Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Lorraine ZimmermanAge
15Cause of Death
StrangulationInfo
Lori zimmerman rode the school bus home from high school on april 6, 1984. She stopped at a friend's home for about ten minutes. Lori did not return home that evening. Friends of lori's were contacted, but denied seeing lori. Lori's mother filed a missing person report with hagerstown police department. On april 14, 1984, two people walking in a wooded area discovered her partially clothed body.Agency
Maryland State Police
Name
Agnes BanwellAge
81Cause of Death
MissingInfo
On july 2, 1994, agnes banwell was reported missing from her home in purcellville, va. The initial report was made to the purcellville police department. A massive land and air search was conducted with the assistance of the virginia state police. The search and the subsequent investigation failed to produce any trace of the victim.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Charles MonroeAge
35Cause of Death
MissingInfo
On may 8, 2005, a fire was reported at a barn in the 20200 block of edgewood farm lane, purcellville, va. The victim lived in the barn on his family's property. A few hours before the fire, the victim was last seen sleeping in a chair inside the barn's living quarters. After the fire was extinguished, there was no trace of the victim. There have been no sightings of, nor contact with, the victim.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Charlotte PowellAge
Cause of Death
Rape/MurderedInfo
On december 8, 1987, leesburg police officers were notified of human remains found off gant lane near sycolin road, leesburg, va. Deputies responded to gant lane and took custody of skeletal remains and assorted clothing. The victim remained unidentified until the sheriff’s office was contacted by the mechanicsburg, pa police department. Dental records ultimately identified the decedent as charlotte powell. Powell's killer has never been identified.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Francis BelandAge
Cause of Death
FireInfo
On october 28, 2002 at 9:35 am, the loudoun county combined fire & rescue service responded to the beland's’ condominium on fort evans road, leesburg for a reported structure fire. After the fire was extinguished, the francis and lillian beland were found deceased inside the residence.An autopsy confirmed that the beland's had been murdered prior to the fire being set.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Lillian BelandAge
Cause of Death
FireInfo
On october 28, 2002 at 9:35 am, the loudoun county combined fire & rescue service responded to the beland's’ condominium on fort evans road, leesburg for a reported structure fire. After the fire was extinguished, the francis and lillian beland were found deceased inside the residence.An autopsy confirmed that the beland's had been murdered prior to the fire being set.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
John NewcombAge
Cause of Death
StabbingInfo
On february 28, 1962, john churchill newcomb and his housekeeper were attacked inside his farm house located in the 36800 block of present day paxson road, purcellville, va. John died from stab wounds suffered in the attack, but the housekeeper survived. Two subjects were later arrested based on the jailhouse confession of a suspect. However, neither subject was ever convicted.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Luis ContrerasAge
57Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
On november 15, 1987, luis contreras, age 57, was observed walking from the migrant workers barracks located in the 35200-block of harry byrd highway, round hill, va. According to the reporting person, no one had seen the victim after 7:00 am on november 16, 1987. A check of his room showed all of his possessions intact.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Mitchell MaistrosAge
Cause of Death
FireInfo
On january 13, 1995, a fire was reported at a residence located behind the sweet springs store near the west virginia state line on route 9 (34300 block of charles town pike, purcellville ,va). After the fire was extinguished, the victim was found deceased in the residence.Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
Shelby VenableAge
16Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
On june 1, 1956, mary elizabth fellers and shelby jean venable (age 16) were last seen alive at a bus stop in laurel, maryland. Mary's brother reported seeing the girls enter a vehicle at approximately 8:15 a.M. On 06/14/1956, the body of shelby venable was discovered in the north fork of cacoctin creek near the intersection of route 9 (charles town pike) and route 287 (berlin turnpike).Agency
Loudon County Sheriff
Name
George StrotherAge
54Cause of Death
TraumaInfo
On the morning of september 2, 1972, the body of mr. Strother was found in a field in the northern area of frederick county, va off rt 731. It appears mr. Strother suffered severe blunt force trauma to the head area. It is believed there were two individuals responsible for beating mr. Strother. This case remains open.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Ruth DouglasAge
70Cause of Death
StabbingInfo
On 05/29/80, ruth douglas was found in her driveway located in shawneeland. Ms. Douglas had defense wounds on her hands, and had been stabbed repeatedly in the abdomen and chest area. A search of her home showed pry marks on the lock area of the north facing door. The phone receiver was laying on the floor, and the phone wires had been disconnected from the wall. This case remains open.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Sheila SteadAge
16Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
In march 1979, 16 year-old shelia stead was found dead along papermill road. She died as a result of asphyxiation. This case remains open.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
William DudleyAge
35Cause of Death
MissingInfo
Mr. Dudley was last seen alive on, or about, october 31, 1993 in the clearbrook area. There was an altercation between he and his girlfriend on that evening. He has not been seen since this date. This case remains open.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Daniel EyeAge
28Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
Daniel jay eye, w/m, dob: 11/2/61 missing – suspected foul play on october 13, 1992, daniel eye was reported missing to the frederick county sheriff’s office. Eye was last seen at his home on paper mill road on october 10, 1992 at approximately 1800 hours by his neighbor. On october 14, 1992 front royal police found eye’s 1990 chevrolet pickup truck parked at the luray avenue boat landing in front royal. They advised the vehicle had been there several days and appeared abandoned. An extensive search of the area was conducted by officers and k-9’s yielding no results. The victim’s wallet and other personal items were found in the truck. Daniel eye has never been found. This case remains open.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Lorenzo SmithAge
34Cause of Death
MissingInfo
Victim left middleburg training track with his employer en route to saratoga springs, new york. The victim experienced a medical emergency which required a visit to the local hospital. Afterward, the employer put the victim on a bus bound for washington, dc. The victim never arrived, and he has not been located since.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Mitchell MaistrosAge
37Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
On 01/13/1995 a fire was reported at a residence located behind the sweet springs store near the west virginia state line on route 9 (34300-blok of charles town pike, purcellville ,va). After the fire was extinguished, the victim was found deceased in the residence.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Francis BelandAge
75Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
Loudoun county fire & rescue responded to the belands’ condominium around 0935 hours on 10/28/2002 for a reported structure fire (fort evans road, leesburg, va). After extinguishment, the belands were located deceased inside the residence. An autopsy confirmed that the belands had been murdered prior to the fire being set.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Lillian BelandAge
71Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
Loudoun county fire & rescue responded to the belands’ condominium around 0935 hours on 10/28/2002 for a reported structure fire (fort evans road, leesburg, va). After extinguishment, the belands were located deceased inside the residence. An autopsy confirmed that the belands had been murdered prior to the fire being set.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Charles MonroeAge
34Cause of Death
MissingInfo
On 05/08/2005 a fire was reported at a barn in the 20200-block of edgewood farm lane, purcellville, va. The victim lived in the barn on his family's property. A few hours before the fire, the victim was last seen sleeping in a chair inside the barn's living quarters. After the fire was extinguished, there was no trace of the victim. There have been no sightings of, nor contact with, the victim.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Leyla McCullaghAge
36Cause of Death
MissingInfo
On 8/29/2012, detectives were assigned to investigate a missing person case. The victim, leyla mccullagh, had not shown up for work for several days. Mccullagh's friends and colleagues had not seen her since 8/14/2012. Mccullagh was married and had one child when she disappeared. There has been no contact with mccullagh since august 2012.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
John NewcombAge
62Cause of Death
stabbingInfo
Victim and his housekeeper were attacked inside his farm house on 02/28/1962. The farmhouse is located in the 36800-block of present day paxson road, purcellville, va. The victim died from stab wounds suffered in the attack, but the housekeeper survived. Two subjects were later arrested based on the jailhouse confession of a suspect. However, neither subject was ever convicted.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Jose SotoAge
46Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
Victim was found deceased in his living quarters at the middleburg training track (35300-block training center lane, middleburg, va). Investigation revealed a recent physical altercation between the victim and two other employees of the track, timoteo hernandez cruz and alberto garcia perez. The case was reopened in 2014 and malicious wounding warrants were ultimately sought for the suspects. The location of the suspects is not known as they may have fled to mexico.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Dennis SmedleyAge
Cause of Death
ShootingInfo
Dennis michael smedley was murdered on the street outside his residence around 6:30 am on september 20, 1983. He was preparing for his job as an officer with the town of front royal police department and standing outside his personal motor vehicle. Smedley was wearing his police officer's uniform when the assailant(s) shot him in the back. His assailant(s) then ran from the crime scene down 6th street from villa avenue and disappeared.Agency
Virginia State Police
Name
Veronica HepworthAge
21Cause of Death
HomicideInfo
On february 25, 1982, the body of veronica “roni” hepworth was discovered by passing motorists at approximately 7:00 a.M. Alongside route 50 east of route 15 in the gilberts corner area of loudoun county, virginia. Veronica was last seen alive at approximately 2:00 a.M. On the morning of february 25, 1982 at a bar located on u.S. Route 1 in fairfax county, virginia. The investigation of her death remains an active homicide investigation. Vicap # 1987va00007Agency
Virginia State Police