From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: On Saturday August 29, 2015 at 1: 30 p.m., Bedford County 911 dispatchers received a call to 1284 Breezy Hill Road, Vinton. The caller, who was calling from Botetourt County, advised that her daughter, Ashley Brogan, age 28, was at this residence and was possibly being assaulted by a Willard Hale. A Bedford County deputy responded to the address and spoke with Willard Hale’s father, who invited the deputy into the residence. He said the two were in another part of the house. After checking the residence the deputy could not locate either. The father then advised the deputy they must have went out the back door.
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The deputy started searching the woods behind the house. He later located the pair approximately a quarter mile into the woods. Brogan, had numerous stab wounds on her neck and torso. She was transported by ambulance to Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Willard W. Hale, age 30, 1284 Breezy Hill Road, Vinton was taken into custody and transported to the Bedford Adult Detention Center and is being held without bond. He was charged with abduction, aggravated malicious wounding and strangulation of another person.
