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Cold case: Culpeper County mom’s brutal murder remains unsolved 20 years later

Crystal Graham
cold case crime
(© blende11.photo – stock.adobe.com)

The brutal murder of Sheryl Warner took place 20 years ago in Culpeper County, and despite the lapse in time, investigators remain committed to finding the person responsible.

The Dec. 18, 2005, crime left three children without their mother and shocked the rural Virginia community.

According to police, Warner was alone in her residence on James Monroe Highway when someone knocked on her door asking to use her phone. Warner was on the telephone with her father and told him that the person wanted to call for help.

After she hung up, her family could not reach her again and called law enforcement.

When deputies arrived, they found Warner dead from a gunshot wound to the head. She had been hung in the basement, and according to investigators, her body had been set on fire.

With advanced technology, DNA has been developed in the case, but it is insufficient for an automatic computer comparison.

Detectives are asking the community for help solving the cold case.

“Regardless of how insignificant you think your information might be, or even if you think we already are aware of it, please let us assess the relevance of your tip,” said Culpeper County Sheriff Timothy Chilton.

“We remain committed to finding the person responsible for the brutal and senseless murder of Sheryl Warner.”

If anyone has information that may lead to the identification of a suspect, you are asked to contact the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 727-7900 or [email protected]

There is a financial reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of an offender(s).


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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]