PRESS RELEASE
November 3, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
DEPUTY DAVID MOYER
(540) 928-2260
DMOYER@BOTETOURTVA.GOV
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
ROANOKE MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER
FINCASTLE, VA – On October 8, 2022, Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the Glen Wilton Park and Ride along Botetourt Road (Route 220) to find a deceased female lying in the gravel lot from an apparent gunshot wound.
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office detectives and an investigator with the Medical Examiner’s office examined the scene extensively. Detectives soon discovered that the victim’s car was found abandoned and burned in a secluded area of Bath County.
The body of the female victim was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke, VA where an autopsy was performed, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The Office of the Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Elizabeth Hensley of Roanoke, VA.
Detectives have been working closely with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the High-Tech Crimes Division to determine the circumstances surrounding Hensley’s death, including following leads that have involved multiple jurisdictions. We are and will continue to withhold certain details and updates crucial to this investigation. These details have not been made public to protect the integrity of the investigation as it could soon move forward to a court and jury.
“The tireless work of our detectives has resulted in a successful conclusion of this homicide investigation. While we are disturbed by the findings in this case, we are pleased to announce we have identified the suspect in Elizabeth’s murder”, said Sheriff Matt Ward.
47-year-old Matthew Griffin of Roanoke, VA has been identified as the suspect in Elizabeth’s murder.
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MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED
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On October 24, 2022, Detectives from the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant to search a home on Vulcan Street in Clifton Forge, VA. They were assisted by the Virginia State Police Special Operations Division Tactical Team, the Clifton Forge Police Department and the United States Marshal’s Service. The warrant was executed, and Matthew Griffin was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. During the search a firearm and ammunition of the same make and caliber used in the homicide was recovered. The gun and ammunition have been sent to the Virginia Department of Forensic Science’s lab in Roanoke for forensic and ballistic examination. After the execution of the search warrant, Griffin was transported to the magistrate where he was served with the outstanding violation of probation warrant and ordered held without bond at the Botetourt–Craig Regional Jail.
On November 1, 2022, Detectives with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant charging Matthew Griffin with second degree murder for the death of Elizabeth Hensley. He was served that warrant at the Botetourt – Craig Regional Jail and continues to be held without bond. Detectives confirm more charges are forthcoming in the near future as the investigation continues.
“Our detectives did an outstanding job investigating this brutal murder. They have worked diligently since the beginning to uncover the necessary evidence and information needed to make an arrest and bring this heinous crime to a close. Whether you come from outside the area, like this alleged suspect, or not, these crimes will not be tolerated in Botetourt County, and we will use every resource available to bring these cases to a successful conclusion”, said Sheriff Matt Ward. I would like to personally thank the victim's family and the citizens of Botetourt County for their patience and support as we have worked to bring this case to a close.”
The collaboration of our law enforcement partners, Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office, Bath County Sheriff’s Office, Clifton Forge Police Department, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, United States Marshal’s Service made this arrest possible.
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Victim
Elizabeth Autumn Hensley, 33, Roanoke, VA
Suspect
Matthew Todd Griffin, 47, Roanoke, VA
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