Stony Bottom, WV Area Cold Cases

Name

Odessa Meister

Age

35

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Odessa meister was last seen alive on 12/20/1952 her body was found on mcnamee’s hill in cumberland, md she died of blunt force trauma

Agency

Maryland State Police

Name

Jean Welch

Age

72

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Jean welch was found deceased in her home on oldtown road in cumberland. Her death was possibly sexually motivated. The case was never closed due to lack of evidence.

Agency

Maryland State Police

Name

Jamaal Bright

Age

36

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Henrico County

Name

Brenda Wolfe

Age

28

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

At around 10:30pm on july 5, 1989, brenda sue wolfe returned to her home on preston road in the town of vinton after work. According to her roommate, brenda was in the company of a man named “jim”. Brenda told her roommate that she and jim were going to get something to eat and the two left the home. Jim stated he dropped brenda back off at her residence after midnight on july 6, 1989. Personal items of brenda’s were located in franklin county on july 7, 1989. On july 28, 1989, her body was found in the 7000 block of back creek road in roanoke county. It was estimated she had been deceased for a few weeks.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Debra Angle

Age

22

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Debra angle was found deceased in her apartment, stratford park apartments, on november 12, 1974 during the daylight hours. Her cause of death was ruled to be strangulation and her manner of death a homicide. At the time of her death, angle was an x-ray technician at a local hospital in roanoke. She had two female roommates who were not on scene at the time of her death.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Dorothy Flowers

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Mrs. Dorothy minkoff flowers was reported missing by her husband on october 26, 1966 when she did not return home in the evening. Dorothy had been conducting a census for a local catholic church and was last seen in the pechin ave and penmar ave area of south east roanoke in the afternoon hours. Her body was found the following morning in a rural area of plantation road in roanoke county.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Delmer Bush

Age

69

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On may 28, 1998, roanoke county police responded to the home of delmer bush who lived in the 3400 block of mount pleasant boulevard. Neighbors had not seen him for at least 24 hours. He was found deceased in his home. His cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Bush lived by himself and was a regular patron of a few restaurants in the south east area of roanoke.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Beverly Haygood

Age

52

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Shortly before 10:00pm on august 16, 2022, roanoke county police were dispatched to the 600 block of tyler road in salem, virginia in reference to check the well-being of beverly rose haygood. Haygood was found in her home, suffering from at least one gunshot wound, and pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of her death, haygood was working at the antique mall in dixie caverns

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Douglas Grabowski

Age

35

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Douglas grabowski was last seen by family on may 7, 2005. A missing person report was filed with police on may 23, 2005 when no one had heard from him. Grabowski lived a solitary lifestyle, however was often seen by neighbors every morning outside on his property as well as in the bent mountain area of roanoke county. Late november 2006, skeletal remains were located in sullivan county, tennessee. These were positively identified as grabowski. Grabowski was often seen in his 1977 ford f150, black in color, long-bed pick-up truck which still has not been located.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Savannah Mitchener-Williams

Age

11

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Savannah was 11 days old when she was brought to roanoke memorial hospital after becoming unresponsive at her residence. She had been in the care of family members. Her cause of death was ruled to be blunt force trauma and manner of death a homicide.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Joan Cook

Age

44

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Joan cook was first reported missing by friends on january 29, 2010. Police contact was made with her husband, mike cook, who advised joan had left their residence on foot the night of january 24, 2010. On january 31, 2010, mike cook came to the roanoke county police department to report his wife missing. Joan has not been seen or heard from since january 2010 and is still a missing person.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Charles Perdue

Age

51

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On september 23, 2013, the body of an unresponsive male was located in the area of 4300 rutrough road, which was later identified as charles kenneth perdue. Charles had multiple injuries that ultimately caused his death.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Carol Smith

Age

37

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Carol ann smith was last seen on june 6, 1994 watering the plants at her residence located on richards boulevard. She was reported missing by a neighbor on june 24, 1994. It is alleged that carol left her family with an unknown male on the date of her disappearance and was not reported missing by her (then) spouse, david smith. There has been no contact made by carol with any of her family, to include the two children she shared with david. No remains of carol have been located.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Christopher Douthat

Age

24

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Chris douthat was on the phone while walking and said "Hang on" and has not been seen since october 25, 2013. Vicap # 2018vsp00001 namus #25330

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Michael Short

Age

50

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 15th, 2002 michael and mary short were found deceased in the residence by local law enforcement, who had responded to a well being check, that was called in to the 911 center by an employee of michael short. It was also discovered that michael and mary short's nine year old daughter, jennifer, was also missing. An intense investigation was launched to find jennifer and determine who had murdered michael and mary short. Six weeks later skeletal remains were located in rockingham county, nc. The remains were confirmed to be jennifer short. This case is still being investigated by the henry county sheriff's office, the rockingham county, nc sheriff's office, the virginia state police, and the fbi.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Mary Short

Age

36

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 15th, 2002 michael and mary short were found deceased in the residence by local law enforcement, who had responded to a well being check, that was called in to the 911 center by an employee of michael short. It was also discovered that michael and mary short's nine year old daughter, jennifer, was also missing. An intense investigation was launched to find jennifer and determine who had murdered michael and mary short. Six weeks later skeletal remains were located in rockingham county, nc. The remains were confirmed to be jennifer short. This case is still being investigated by the henry county sheriff's office, the rockingham county, nc sheriff's office, the virginia state police, and the fbi.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Samuel Riser

Age

61

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Cold case spotlight samuel riser had just paid his december rent and mailed out a letter; then he disappeared. The 61-year-old glasgow, west virginia man has not been seen or heard from since december 8, 2010. Blood was discovered in his home during a welfare check after mr. Riser didn’t show up for work. Police responded to the scene and, while remaining tight-lipped about the investigation, acknowledge that foul play is suspected in samuel riser’s disappearance. Investigators have said publicly that they have received a lot of tips, but keep hitting dead ends. They have asked that anyone with information reach out to them in this unsolved case. Mr. Riser, known by some as sam or dickie, was a hard-working, loving father. His children have kept fighting to find their dad, all along knowing the likely outcome. Mr. Riser’s information has been uploaded to namus, a database that provides an opportunity for families, law enforcement agencies and investigators to search nationwide for missing persons using a variety of powerful search features. His case was also featured on the charley project, a website that profiles approximately 9,500 “cold case” missing people, mainly from the united states. Project cold case is featuring mr. Riser’s case in conjunction with the week of the 6th anniversary of his disappearance and asking, on behalf of his family, that you share his case on social media in hopes that someone will come forward with answers. If you have any information about the disappearance of samuel riser, no matter how small you think it is, please call the kanawha county sheriff’s office at (304) 357-0156.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

Name

Cleo Burdette

Age

78

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Cold case spotlight on august 13, 2004, cleo burdette was beaten to death in his on home. The victim's sister found him the next morning after he didn't answer her phone call. Investigators found broken windows, a cut phone line and a ransacked home and believe robbery may have been the motive. Mr. Burdette was a cattle farmer and had sold a number of cattle at auction the day he was killed. Several witnesses reported seeing a red or orange toyota truck near mr. Burdette's residence. There is a $10,000 reward being offered by the family in this case. If you have any information about the 2004 unsolved murder of cleo burdette you are asked to please contact the kanawha county sheriff's office at (304)357-0169.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

Name

Melanie Metheny

Age

21

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On the morning of wednesday july 19, 2006, melanie metheny left her residence in campbells creek with two of her children and the child of her current boyfriend. It is believed that she dropped off the boyfriend’s child between 7:30 and 8:00 am at the home of the child’s paternal grandmother in the dry branch area of campbell’s creek and then continued to the country kids daycare located in the 3000 block of east dupont ave belle. There she dropped off her two children between 7:50am and 8:00 am. Friends, family, and daycare workers said melanie told them she was going to garnett career college in charleston that day to pick up her transcripts and deliver them to west virginia state college where she intended to start classes. Melanie never returned to pick up her children from the daycare. According to melanie’s cell phone records, she placed two calls between 9:00 am and 9:30am that morning, one of which to her voice mail, and both calls had been placed from the western kanawha and eastern putnam co. Areas. A check was done at west virginia state college and garnett and no contact was made with melanie that day. Melanie’s van, 1998 gold chevrolet venture van, was located 4 days later on july 23, 2006, parked on the street in the residential area of wyoming street and beuhring ave on the west side of charleston. One witness in the area said that the van had been parked there since around the afternoon of wednesday july 19, 2006. Melanie metheny was 21 years old when she was reported as missing. She has long strawberry blond hair, brown eyes, 5’3”, and approximately 100lbs. She didn’t have any tattoos but has a scar on her lower right leg/ankle and a plate and two screws that she received from a car accident. Melanie metheny is the mother of 3 children. Their ages at the time of her disappearance were 1, 3, and 5 years. Since the time she was reported missing the kanawha county sheriff’s office has expended numerous man hours while conducting this missing person case. We have received hundreds of tips since her disappearance and conducted follow-up investigations on each tip. We actively follow up on any leads that are brought to our attention. We know that someone in the public has information that could lead us to a closure in this case.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff

Name

Samuel Riser

Age

60

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Samuel “dickie” riser went to work on wednesday, december 8, 2010, and at the end of his shift, returned to his home in glasgow, west virginia. On saturday, december 11, 2010, the family received a call that mr. Riser had not been to work in three days. His family went to his house and found mr. Riser’s vehicle was still parked at the residence. Mr. Riser’s residence was locked, the television was on, but mr. Riser was gone. Based on evidence found at mr. Riser’s residence, foul play is suspected. Mr. Riser was 60 years old at the time of his disappearance, he is 6’1” tall, 205 pounds, and goes by the nickname of “dickie”. Mr. Riser is a white male with gray hair, blue eyes, and wears metal-rimmed eyeglasses.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff

Name

Kelly Dove

Age

20

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Kelly bergh dove, 20, vanished while working at the imperial gas station on june 18, 1982. Kelly’s disappearance was classified as an abduction and she was declared legally dead in 1989. Kelly called 911 twice the night she disappeared to report an obscene phone call and suspicious person. Police arrived within minutes of her second 911 call but she had already been taken. If you have any information about kelly’s case, please should contact the harrisonburg police at 540-434-4436. To remain anonymous you can call crime solvers at 540-574-5050.

Agency

Harrisonburg Police Department

Name

Rodney Ruffin Sr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Agency

Richmond

Name

Brian Breeden

Age

44

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 17, 2005, brian was last seen paying a bill at the culpeper treasurer’s office. Brian was involved in a fraud investigation around the same time and has not been seen or heard from since. He had residences on picadilly cir. In culpeper, river rd. In occoquan, and jennings st. In woodbridge and had ties to the area.

Agency

Prince William County Sheriff

Name

George Strother

Age

54

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

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 Douglas

Age

70

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

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 Stead

Age

16

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

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 Dudley

Age

35

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

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 Eye

Age

28

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

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

Brian Breeden

Age

44

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On june 17, 2005, brian was last seen paying a bill at the culpeper treasure’s office. Brian was involved in a fraud investigation around the same time and has not been seen or heard from since. He had residences on picadilly cir. In culpeper, river rd. In occoquan, jennings st. In woodbridge and had ties to the area.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Dennis Smedley

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

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

Sylena Dalton

Age

20

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Ms. Sylenna dalton was found stabbed to death in the afternoon of july 27, 1998 in her strasburg, virginia, residence. Her 10 week old infant daughter allyson was missing and has not been recovered. Both victims were last seen alive on the morning of july 27, 1998 by family members. Allyson’s father, daniel e. Pompell, told police he went to the apartment on the morning of the murder, knocked on the door, received no answer and left the area. Pompell continues to remain cooperative in the investigation.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Allyson Dalton

Age

10

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Ms. Sylenna dalton was found stabbed to death in the afternoon of july 27, 1998 in her strasburg, virginia, residence. Her 10 week old infant daughter allyson was missing and has not been recovered. Both victims were last seen alive on the morning of july 27, 1998 by family members. Allyson’s father, daniel e. Pompell, told police he went to the apartment on the morning of the murder, knocked on the door, received no answer and left the area. Pompell continues to remain cooperative in the investigation.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Richard Charlton

Age

50

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On the morning of october 20, 2014, richard "Ricky" charlton was found deceased in his residence off of layman trestle road in rockingham county. His death was ruled a homicide.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Steven Kroll

Age

30

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On march 15, 1988, a vdot employee discovered a dismembered human body in two green trash bags and a cardboard box on us rt.211, 7 9/10 miles west of luray approximately 25' south of the roadway. The victim was later identified as steven j. Kroll. Kroll had been missing from his home in maryland since february 25, 1988.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Rachel Good

Age

20

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Rachel was last seen with friends in the parking lot behind the elkton volunteer fire department , near the coin laundry of spotswood trail in elkton, virginia at approximately 6:00 p.M. On october 18, 2003. Rachel's friends saw her get into her dodge neon and drive away as it got dark. Rachel has never been heard from again. Rachel was wearing blue jeans, yellow t-shirt and stud earrings. Namus mp #1141

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Deveron Ellis

Age

20

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Henrico County

Name

Karen Scarbrough

Age

17

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On june 24, 1978, in an incident dubbed “the dale city triple”, karen, along with two other woman, sharon lake and deborah frank, were found dead in a ryland homes sales trailer in woodbridge at approximately 6:45 p.M. Karen had just graduated from high school and started her first job at the location. An autopsy revealed all three women died from a gunshot wound.

Agency

Prince William County Sheriff

Name

Ricky Cooper

Age

59

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On february 5, 2018 the body of ricky cooper was discovered shot to death in his residence at the address of 2058 st. Charles road, st. Charles in lee county. There were no signs of forced entry to the home of mr. Cooper.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Keith Whitmore

Age

48

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing greenville man. Keith t. Whitmore was reported missing by family members. He was last seen in the greenville area of augusta county, by an acquaintance, in april of 2018. Whitmore is a 48 year old white male, 5’10” tall, and weights approximately 185 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Khaleesi Cuthriell

Age

3

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Khaleesi hope cuthriell, three years old, was last seen at the residence of travis brown and candi royer, located at 249 cattle scaled rd waynesboro, virginia, in augusta county, around january 10, 2021. She has not been seen since that day. Both brown and royer have been charged and convicted in the death and disappearance of khaleesi. The whereabouts of khaleesi's remains are unknown at this time. Khaleesi is described as a white female, around 3'1", 41 lbs., with strawberry blonde hair.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Roger CrowderSr

Age

20

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Roger l. Crowder sr. Was murdered at a gas station in verona, virginia on december 22, 1967. Anyone with information about mr. Crowder or this case is asked to submit a tip through this database or contact the augusta county sheriff's office criminal investigations division at #540-245-5333.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Margaret White

Age

36

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On july 29, 2008, margaret gail stamper-white was reported missing by her mother. Margaret gail stamper-white was last seen at her residence at 53 spencer lane, crimora, in the middle of may 2008. White left her cell phone. She has no known means of transportation. She has missed three significant family functions. White maintained constant contact with her family and children in west virginia until mid may of 2008. She has no credit cards or bank accounts that could assist the sheriff’s office in attempting to locate her. Due to those factors, white has been listed as missing/endangered. She is a white female, 35 years old, 5 feet 2 inches, 110 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of white should contact the augusta county sheriff’s office at 540-245-5333 or submit a tip through this database.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Janet Field

Age

49

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The fluvanna county sheriff's office continues to investigate the disappearance of janet renee field. She was last seen on july 2, 2014, at her residence near scottsville, virginia, in fluvanna county. Her car was found at the park-and-ride commuter parking lot in zion's crossroads, near interstate 64 in louisa county on july 4, 2014. Her purse, vehicle keys, and mobile phone were still in the vehicle. Her virginia driver's license, cash, and credit cards were missing. She is known by her middle name, renee. She has ties to short pump, richmond, and lexington, virginia. She is known to frequent plant/gardening stores, health food stores, and holistic healing centers. If you have any information, please contact the fluvanna county sheriff's office at 434-589-8211.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Esther Albert

Age

70

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Albert was killed on july 3, 1993 in the city of covington, va. The case is a forcible rape/ homicide. The case is currently unsolved and under investigation. Several persons of interest have been identified and are now deceased. Vicap # 1993va00070

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Kimberly Fulton

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 03/05/1995, 28yr old kimberly fulton and her 17 month old son, daniel were found dead inside their burned-out mobile home. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the washington county sheriff's office at 740-760-0760.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Daniel Fulton

Age

31

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 03/05/1995, 28yr old kimberly fulton and her 17 month old son, daniel were found dead inside their burned-out mobile home. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the washington county sheriff's office at 740-760-0760.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Terri Roach

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The body of 18yr old terri lee roach was found on 07/05/1990 in washington county, ohio.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Arturo Baxter

Age

35

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Henrico County

Name

Gene McPherson

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Gene mcpherson was last seen driving his silver 1978 ford pickup at 5:50 p.M. On saturday, may 23, 1987, in craig county, virginia. Days later, gene's pick-up was located at the I-81 rest area in radford, virginia. Gene's wallet was in the grass on the side of I-81 in virginia. John edward colclasure admitted to killing gene mcpherson and was convicted of murder. Colclasure died in jail in 2002 and never disclosed the location of gene's body.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Brandon Billings

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On october 6, 2002 the grayson county sheriffs office was contacted by local residents about a vehicle found off of rock house lane in the old town section of the county. The 1986 ford ranger appeared to have been wrecked and the driver still with the truck. When deputies arrived and more closely investigated the scene it was discovered that brandon kyle billings, age 18 of carsonville road, fries, had died of an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators were called to the scene and a detailed search of the area was conducted. Brandon was last seen leaving a local convenience store in the city of galax at approximately 4:00 am on october 6, 2002.

Agency

Virginia State Police