Crime and Public Safety
State Police have released new information surrounding the death and disappearance of a Buena Vista man almost 17 months ago. It suggests clear signs of a violent struggle as police and the victim’s parents ask for help. Chad Austin was 30 when he disappeared near the Blue Ridge Parkway on Memorial Day weekend of 2019; his remains were found last March. Thursday would have been Chad’s birthday, and one day ahead of that, State Police divulged some new details in the case. Among them: two knives belonging to Chad were found in that area – in the open position, there were signs of a struggle and texts on his phone anticipating a confrontation. Police say one person committed the murder, but others witnessed it. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
NEWS RELEASE: AMHERST CO., Va. – On Oct. 22, 2020, a Buena Vista family will be honoring, instead of celebrating, their loved one’s birthday. Chad H. Austin would have turned 32 on Thursday, had his remains not been recovered in Amherst County in May. With the development of several new leads related to his disappearance and death, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (BCI) Salem Field Office continues to work collaboratively with the Buena Vista Police Department and Amherst County Sheriff’s Office to render an arrest in this case.
Law enforcement were alerted at approximately 12:30 p.m. on May 28, 2019 to Chad’s silver 2006 Hyundai Tiburon being found abandoned about 2 miles down the turnoff for Panther Falls Road. His beloved, mixed-breed dog, Gunner, was found unharmed and locked inside the car. Investigators were able to confirm that Chad was last seen on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, by campers in the Panther Falls/Shady Mountain area, east of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A search of the immediate area resulted in several personal items belonging to Chad, to include two knives, being found about a half mile from his abandoned car. Both knives were found with the blades in the open position. Additional forensic evidence collected at that location confirms that a struggle took place between Chad and his killer that ultimately led to Chad’s death. Six months after he was reported missing, Chad’s wallet turned up at Panther Falls.
“We especially want to hear from the individual(s) who returned Chad’s wallet to the scene more than six months after his disappearance,” said Special Agent Kevin Zirkle, Virginia State Police BCI Salem Field Office. “It was not overlooked on previous searches of that area. We know it was intentionally placed there and, perhaps, there is a very reasonable explanation. We have been trying to figure out why that person, though, has not contacted us yet.”
State police has also been able to confirm through text messages on Chad’s phone that in the days leading up to his disappearance and death, he was anticipating being confronted by a group of individuals who were determined to settle a disagreement with him.
“We have no reason whatsoever to believe that Chad was looking for trouble, but we do know that he had a reason to suspect a confrontation was inevitable. We know there are additional people in the Buena Vista community who know certain pieces of information related to Chad’s death, but are fearful to come forward for a number of reasons. We want to reassure these individuals that our number one goal is to correctly identify the person who did this to Chad. We know this was the act of one person, but that others were witness to his murder. We need to hear from those persons in order to render an arrest and see justice done for Chad and his family,” Zirkle said.
In March 2020, investigators returned to the Panther Falls area on a tip and subsequently recovered skeletal remains, which the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed as Chad Austin.
“To even fathom that our son’s life was taken so early, is so hard for our family to bear,” said Ellen Austin, Chad’s mother, at a news conference Wednesday (Oct. 21) along the Blue Ridge Parkway. “To have Chad missing for a year and then to find out your son is dead has been horrific. Some were saying that at least you found him, but that doesn’t even begin to help us have closure because there are still so many unanswered questions. That’s why we need your help – everyone’s help. No matter how big or small, if you know something, please call state police or the Buena Vista Police. Please do this for our family.”
Those with information about Chad are encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at (540) 375-9589 or contact us by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
Salem Fire and EMS responded to a fire on Sparrow Lane in the 900 block late yesterday afternoon. Two people were at home at the time and one person was treated at the scene. The blaze was brought under control in about 20 minutes. The damage is now estimated at 45-thousand dollars. The two residents displaced are with family members.
(Salem Fire-EMS release) The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a residential structure fire at 913 Sparrow Lane at approximately 5:52 p.m. Monday evening. Two people were home at the time of the fire and one occupant was treated for a minor injury at the scene.The first units arrived within four minutes of receiving the call and found heavy smoke coming from the structure. The fire was discovered in the basement and brought under control within 20 minutes. The building did sustain significant fire and smoke damage, but the fire was contained to the basement area of the home.Approximately 18 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Truck 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Medic 802, Medic 803, Medic 804, Battalion 1 & Fire Medic 1) responded to the call. Roanoke Fire & EMS (Engine 13) assisted with additional responses, while crews were assigned to the fire.The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled the fire accidental and estimated the damage at$45,000. Two residents were displaced by the fire and they are being assisted by family.
Bob Cowell
The Roanoke Police Department has hired its first “Rapid Engagement of Support in Event of Trauma,” Coordinator – or RESET. It could be the first of two new employees with a focus on the long-term reduction in gun violence. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
(from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office today) On October 19, 2020, a citizen contacted the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office after seeing a request for information on our Facebook page, related to a hit and run. Deputies located the suspect vehicle, a white Chevrolet 1500 truck, at Massie’s Mobile Home Park, approximately two miles from the scene. After speaking with the owner and several other witnesses, 23-year-old Travis Castillo of Christiansburg, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of felony hit and run with bodily injury. Castillo is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail with no bond.The female victim is in stable condition and the male victim is in critical condition, both are at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Their names will not be released at this time. We appreciate the public for providing multiple tips and information to us, to bring this case to a quick resolution.
(previous headline) Two people sustained serious injuries after they were hit by a car last night in the 21 hundred block of Peppers Ferry Rd in Montgomery County. Deputies say they found two pedestrians, a woman and a man in a wheelchair, who were hit by a vehicle that left the scene. Authorities believe an early 2000s model; Chevrolet brand truck or SUV may have been involved and should have extensive damage to the front passenger side.
NEWS RELEASE: On October 17, 2020 at approximately 2:45am, Roanoke Police were dispatched to a shooting with injuries [outside the 7-Eleven] in the 3600 block of Williamson Road NW. Responding officers located an adult male victim lying in the parking lot of the business. He was pronounced deceased on scene by Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel. His identification will be released after next of kin is notified.
NEWS RELEASE: On 10/14/2020 at approximately 5:12PM Bedford County Dispatch received a call in the 2800 Block of Wheats Valley Road Bedford, Virginia for an incident involving a firearm. The initial investigation leads the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office to conclude at this time the fatal shooting of Mathew Paul Beach,age 30 of Bedford, Virginia was unintentional. The investigation continues at this time as does communication with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. At the conclusion of the investigation there will be a final determination as to whether criminal charges will be pursued in reference to this incident. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has definitively concluded that there is no continuing threat to the public arising from this incident.
(Roanoke City release) The Roanoke Police Department has hired Lloyd Merchant as its Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma (RESET) Coordinator. On Oct. 1, Mayor Sherman Lea and Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman shared results of a recent joint operation with the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force with the community. The operation resulted in the arrest of 138 individuals with 212 outstanding warrants, including the apprehension of an individual involved in gunfire on I-581. At that briefing, the Mayor conveyed the significance of a continued strong police response to the recent increase in gun violence, while also acknowledging the importance of a comprehensive and long-term response. Vice-Mayor Cobb shared more details about how the work of the Task Force to Reduce Gun Violence is an element of that long-term response. The Task Force was created on June 3, 2019 and is now called the Study Committee to Reduce Gun Violence. This group, chaired by Shakira Williams, is comprised of members of the community, including educators, health care professionals, trauma-informed counselors, law enforcement and first responders, youth mentors, and citizens whose lives have been directly impacted by gun violence.
As a follow-up to that briefing, Vice Mayor Joe Cobb and Chief Roman are pleased to announce the selection of Lloyd Merchant as the Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma (RESET) Coordinator. The position is supported by a grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The RESET Coordinator will be responsible for organizing and recruiting volunteers that will be a restorative program, not an investigative tool. The RESET Coordinator will lead a team of community volunteers to visit neighborhoods after the areas have experienced traumatic events, or they will go to areas where the citizens are continuously affected by ongoing criminal activity. Mr. Merchant most recently worked as a probation/parole supervisor; his employment history also includes positions as a Roanoke Police Officer and Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
“As a department, we are excited to bring another level of service to our community that we were previously not able to provide,” Chief Roman says about the position. “There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Merchant and his team of volunteers are going to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals in neighborhoods that are continuously impacted by violent crime. Mr. Merchant already has strong, existing ties to the community that will only enhance the work he will be doing.”
(from Virginia State Police) ROANOKE Co, Va. – Virginia State Police Trooper L.H. Austin is investigating a two vehicle crash involving a utility van carrying rescued dogs. The crash occurred Sunday (Oct 11) at 1:20 a.m. on Interstate 81 at the 136.2-mile marker in Roanoke County. A 2015 Honda Odyssey was traveling north on Interstate 81 in the left lane, passing a 2017 Ram Utility Van traveling in the right lane, when the Honda Odyssey lost control and struck the Ram Utility Van. Both vehicles then ran off the left side of the roadway and into the median; the Ram then overturned.
The 2015 Honda Odyssey was driven by Pranav Yogesh Desai, 32, of Acworth, Ga. Mr. Desai was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured, and was charged with Reckless Driving. The 2017 Ram Utility Van was driven by Leslie Ysuhuaylas, 31, Plano, Texas. Ms. Ysuhuaylas was wearing her seatbelt and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for injuries received in the crash.
The Ram Utility Van was transporting 50 crates, containing 80 rescued dogs. The van was traveling from Texas to a “No Kill” shelter in Pennsylvania. All the animals were recovered and transported by Fort Lewis Fire Department to Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Christiansburg, Va. where they will be cared for, until arrangements can be made to complete their transportation to Pennsylvania. One dog died as a result of the crash.
(from Roanoke City Police Department) On October 11 at approximately 11:45pm, Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 3100 block of Franklin Road SW. Responding officers located an adult male with injuries inside of a business in the area. The man was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Officers were able to get a description of the suspect and locate the individual a short distance from the scene of the incident. The suspect was identified as Arthur Rimbold, 41 of Royal Oak, Michigan. Rimbold is charged with malicious wounding, using a firearm in commission of a felony and reckless handling of a firearm. Preliminary investigation indicates that the men were engaged in a verbal and physical altercation inside the business that continued outside. That is where the altercation escalated into a shooting and the victim was injured. Rimbold fled on foot a short distance away, and was apprehended quickly after officers were dispatched to the scene.
