Yesterday investigators in Louisa found the remains of who they believe to Shantay Latrice Wheeler. The 18-year-old went missing in April under rather surprising circumstances: her boyfriend dropped her off at the Fork Union Motor Lodge to meet her sister, and she walked to a nearby pharmacy. She never got there. The remains of the 8-month-pregnant Fluvanna girl were found in the woods near the intersection of 15 and 22 in Boswells Tavern. The Progress has the full story, though you can read a brief version on WINA’s site.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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That’s really sad. Ever since I first saw that story on the news in late April, I’d kept her story in my mind, hoping that, somehow, everything would turn out OK. But the odds of a girl going missing under not-bad circumstances while walking something like 1/8 of a mile seem pretty slim. It’s too bad that turned out to be the case.