Woman found dead in gravel lot identified, death ruled a homicide, Botetourt County authorities say

The woman’s body was found on Oct. 8 at the Glen Wilton Park and Ride

A woman's body was discovered in a gravel lot in Botetourt County. (WSLS)

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va.UPDATE OCT. 18:

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office has provided an update on its investigation regarding the body that was found over a week ago off Route 220.

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On Oct. 8, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to the Glen Wilton Park and Ride along Route 220 where they found a woman dead with an apparent gunshot wound.

We’re told detectives with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office and an investigator with the medical examiner’s office examined the scene extensively. They soon discovered the woman’s car had been found burned and abandoned in what they called a secluded area of Bath County.

Authorities said the body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke for an autopsy, and the cause of death was ruled a homicide.

The victim has since been identified as Elizabeth Hensley of Roanoke, according to the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives have been working with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the High-Tech Crimes Division to learn more about what happened, authorities said.

The Sheriff’s Office said certain details and updates have not been made public to protect the integrity of the investigation, as well as to provide privacy for the victim’s family.

Detectives on the case said the incident was not a random act, and that the public should not be deterred from their normal daily activities.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office at 540-473-8631.

Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops


ORIGINAL STORY:

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a woman was found dead early Saturday morning.

At 7:02 a.m., the Botetourt County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from a citizen reporting an unresponsive female lying on the ground in the 22,000 block of Botetourt Road.

Deputies arrived on the scene and found the woman’s body lying in a gravel lot. Detectives are currently examining the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office says the incident appears to be isolated and there is no threat to the public.

As of 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, the Sheriff’s Office did not have any more updates to provide and said authorities are still working on the case.


About the Authors:

You can watch Lindsey during Virginia Today every weekend or as a reporter during the week!

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.