Packages sent to late Commonwealth’s Attorney recovered at FedEx driver’s home

The latest news out of Mathews County is hard to fathom, as a subcontractor for FedEx is accused of stealing packages that had been delivered to the late Commonwealth’s Attorney’s address.

Marie Walls was found dead in her New Point Comfort Highway driveway on Feb. 10 with a self-inflicted gunshot, according to authorities. Her sudden death was covered extensively by news outlets throughout the state and nation, including AFP.

Melissa Jeanine Gardner, 41, a subcontractor and delivery driver for FedEx, was arrested and taken into custody Tuesday morning in her delivery truck near her Buckley Hall Road residence.

Gardner was wanted by police after lab results from a previous traffic stop found Gardner had used methamphetamine drugs while operating her delivery truck.

Following her arrest, the Virginia State Police Tri-River drug task force and Mathews County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at Gardner’s home.

The search resulted in the recovery of items that were reported as delivered to Walls’ address following her tragic death. The combined total value of the stolen items is less than $1,000.

Gardner has been charged with petit larceny and is currently being held at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center on a $3,000 secured bond. She also faces impaired driving/drug charges from the previous traffic stop.

There is no evidence that indicates the theft is related to the manner and cause of Walls’ death.

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ICYMI

• New details released in shooting death of Mathews County Commonwealth’s Attorney
• Mathews County Commonwealth’s Attorney dead from gunshot wound

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A male passenger in Gardner’s delivery truck on Tuesday morning is also facing charges after he was allegedly found with meth in his possession.

Austin Scott Miles-Cullison, 32, of Mathews, was taken into custody and charged with possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance. He is also being held at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center on a $5,000 secured bond.

There has been no additional information released on the investigation into the death of Walls. The preliminary investigation found she died of a gunshot wound. However, police said there is no indication a suspect was involved.