Cold Case Initiative

Agnes Banwell

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit is investigating the disappearance of Agnes Banwell who was reported missing on July 2, 1994. Agnes was last seen in Purcellville, VA.

Baby Hope

On August 30, 2003, a deceased newborn “Baby Hope” was located by juveniles playing in a creek bed in Sterling, VA. The newborn was determined to be a white female. The creek bed is located near the 200 block of North Cottage Road. Follow the link for case updates and to submit a tip online.

Baby Michelle

On April 10, 2013, deputies were called to the area of Awsley Court after a resident walking along the path observed what appeared to be a deceased baby in a pond. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Medical Examiner reported the baby as female, full-term, of undetermined ethnicity, and was likely a home birth. The case is still under investigation.

Charles William Monroe

Charles William Monroe was reported missing on May 8, 2005, after a fire destroyed his apartment inside a barn located at 20215 Edgewood Farm Lane in Purcellville. Investigators searched extensively, but were unable to locate any human remains in the fire. He is described as a white male, 6 feet 3 inches, thin build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was 35 years old at the time of his disappearance.

Charlotte Powell

Charlotte Powell was last seen by her family in July of 1987. Her skeletal remains were found in the woods near the gas and power lines off of Route 653 (Shreve Mill Road) on December 8, 1987. It is believed she was raped and murdered. Charlotte lived in Pennsylvania and was known to hitchhike. She may have traveled in Maryland, DC and Virginia. She was described by her mother and sister as a free spirit.

Luis Contreras

On November 15, 1987, Luis Contreras, age 57, was observed walking from the migrant workers barracks located in the 35200-block of Harry Byrd Highway, Round Hill, VA. According to the reporting person, no one had seen the victim after 7:00 am on November 16, 1987. A check of his room showed all of his possessions intact.

Unknown Victim - Sunny Ridge Road

On March 8, 1988, skeletal remains were found by a passerby while hiking on Route 761 (Sunny Ridge Road). The victim, a white or possibly Hispanic male, had been shot.

Ursula Haberland

On Thursday, August 23, 2001, Ursula Haberland was found murdered inside of her home on Greengarden Road in Upperville, Virginia. The Cold Case Unit of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance with the investigation into Haberland’s death. The Detectives believe that there is outstanding information which could be the key to solving this senseless act of violence. Follow the link for case updates and to submit an online tip.

Shelby Jean Venable (Homicide Victim)

On June 1, 1956, Mary Elizabeth Fellers and Shelby Jean Venable (age 16) were last seen alive at a bus stop in Laurel, Maryland. Mary's brother reported seeing the girls enter a vehicle at approximately 8:15 a.m.

Jane Doe (1961 Homicide Victim)

On December 16, 1961, an unidentified White female was located deceased on the side of Route 715, 1 1/2 miles west of Hillsboro. The female had wounds consistent with continued physical abuse. Medical Examiner could not rule out Hypothermia as a contributing factor. Female victim was never identified.

Albert Faulkner (1984 Homicide Victim)

On September 6, 1984 Albert Faulkner was shot in his doorway by an unknown assailant who fled the scene.

John Churchill Newcomb (1962 Homicide)

On February 28, 1962, John Churchill Newcomb and his housekeeper were attacked inside his farm house located in the 36800 block of present day Paxson Road, Purcellville, VA. John died from stab wounds suffered in the attack, but the housekeeper survived.

Lorenzo Smith Jr. (1982 Missing Person)

On June 20, 1982, Lorenzo Smith Jr. left the Middleburg Training Track with his employer to go to Saratoga Springs, New York. Smith experienced a medical emergency which required a visit to a local hospital. Afterward, the employer reported that he put the Smith on a bus bound for Washington, DC - he never arrived, and he has not been located since.

Unnamed Victim (1986 Rape & Abduction)

On March 1, 1986, the victim reported being abducted and raped after hitchhiking in the area of Route 9 (Charles Town Pike) and Route 704 (Hamilton Station Road).

Unnamed Juvenile Victim (1987 Rape & Abduction)

On June 27, 1987, the victim, a nine-year-old female, was adducted from her house and sexually assaulted.

Mitchell Maistros (1995 Suspicious Death)

On January 13, 1995, a fire was reported at a residence located behind the Sweet Springs store near the West Virginia State Line on Route 9 (34300 block of Charles Town Pike, Purcellville ,VA). After the fire was extinguished, the victim was found deceased in the residence.

Francis & Lillian Beland (2002 Homicide)

On October 28, 2002 at 9:35 am, the Loudoun County Combined Fire & Rescue Service responded to the Beland's’ condominium on Fort Evans Road, Leesburg for a reported structure fire. After the fire was extinguished, the Francis and Lillian Beland were found deceased inside the residence.

Samantha Summers (2006 Suspicious Death)

Samantha Summers was assaulted by an ex-boyfriend in the days prior to her death. Samantha did not report for work and her welfare was checked. Victim found deceased in her apartment.

Baby Doe (2007 Deceased Newborn)

On September 7, 2007, a male newborn baby was found in a trash truck. The truck had picked up trash from several houses in the Sterling Park area prior to the discovery of the victim.

Leyla McCullagh (2012 Missing Person)

On August 29, 2012, detectives were assigned to investigate a missing person case. The victim, Leyla McCullagh, had not shown up for work for several days. McCullagh's friends and colleagues had not seen her since August 14, 2012.

Closed Cold Cases