ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — An Albemarle County woman was killed and her body was found in a makeshift grave the same day her husband committed suicide, according to the Albemarle County Police Department.
According to a press release from county police, 51-year-old Robert Shifflett reported his wife, 50-year-old Kristie Powell Shifflet, missing on Friday, March 22. Robert told investigators that he had last seen his wife inside their home the day before, on March 21.
Officers began to look into Kristie’s disappearance. According to police, her car was found in a remote field in the western part of the county by a community member around noon on Saturday, March 23.
Investigators then followed up with Robert to obtain “additional information,” according to police.
“Based on information gathered during that conversation, ACPD’s investigation into the whereabouts of Mrs. Shifflett shifted from a missing persons case to a potential homicide,” the release reads.
The next morning, officers responded to Rockgate Cemetary in the Crozet area of the county to find Robert unresponsive. According to police, his death is believed to be a suicide.
Later that same day, the body of a woman believed to be Kristie was found by county and state police in a makeshift grave in a remote area off Yellow Mountain Road.
8News asked the Albemarle County Police Department about a potential suspect or suspects being investigated in connection to Kristie’s death.
“At this point in time, we are not looking into any additional suspects, but it remains an active investigation,” the spokesperson said.
No other information is available at this time. According to the department, this is the county’s first homicide of 2024.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
