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Cold case: Incarcerated suspect indicted by grand jury in 2003 murder of Roanoke man, dog

Crystal Graham
cold case Roanoke man Richard Anthony “Dickie” Palmer
Richard Anthony “Dickie” Palmer

An incarcerated man has been linked a cold case involving the 2003 murder of a Roanoke man and his dog.

Richard Anthony “Dickie” Palmer was found dead on April 22, 2003, in his Chevrolet pickup truck along with the remains of his dog at Perry Park in Roanoke.

The suspect, who has not been named, was indicted by the Floyd County Grand Jury this week for the homicide more than two decades ago.

Virginia State Police said there is no danger to the public due to the suspect’s incarceration.

The preliminary investigation found that Palmer, and his red Australian Heeler, Rufus, were likely killed at the Palmer residence in Riner and the bodies were transported to the park in Roanoke after being killed. Blood was found in the yard of the residence by a family member.

“After 21 years, it is incredibly satisfying to provide answers to the Palmer family in the brutal murder of Dickie” said Douglas R. Hubert, Senior Special Agent with the Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem field office.

The agencies involved in the investigation include the Virginia State Police, Office of the Attorney General, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Roanoke Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.

The defendant’s name should be released following his arrest, according to VSP.


 

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she 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 on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.