BOTETOURT, Va. (WFXR) – The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Salem man accused in a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of a 97-year-old woman.
On April 25, 2024, deputies responded to a call of an unresponsive 97-year-old woman around 9:50 a.m. at the 4600 Block of Blue Ridge Turnpike.
When deputies arrived at the scene, the woman died and was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke, Va. for an autopsy. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide. The victim was identified as 97-year-old Catherine Graff of Fincastle, Va.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office says detectives worked with the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney to find evidence connecting a family member to the murder-for-hire crime.
After investigating the incident, detectives identified 53-year-old James W. Hopper of Fincastle, Va. as the alleged orchestrater of the murder-for-hire plot. 30-year-old Steven R. Fowler of Salem, Va. was also identified as the individual that was hired to carry out the murder.
During the ongoing investigation, Hopper took his own life, according to BCSO.
On Tuesday, December 3, Steven Fowler was served an indictment for Aggravated Murder for Hire and has been incarcerated without bond at the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail. He has been incarcerated since April 26, 2024.
“I want to commend our detectives for their tireless efforts in uncovering the truth behind this tragic case,” said Sheriff Matthew Ward. “Thanks to our detectives’ diligent work, we identified the people responsible for this cowardly and evil act. Justice doesn’t take a day off, and neither do we.”
This remains an ongoing investigation.
WFXR News will give updates once new information is released. After an extensive investigation, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office has announced an indictment of a Salem man in a murder-for-hire that resulted in the death of a 97-year-old woman.
On April 25, 2024, deputies responded to a call of an unresponsive 97-year-old woman around 9:50 a.m. at the 4600 Block of Blue Ridge Turnpike.
When deputies arrived at the scene, the woman died and was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke, Va. for an autopsy. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide. The victim was identified as 97-year-old Catherine Graff of Fincastle, Va.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office detectives worked with the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney to find evidence connecting a family member to the murder-for-hire crime.
After investigating the incident, detectives identified 53-year-old James W. Hopper of Fincastle, Va. as the alleged orchestrater of the murder-for-hire plot. 30-year-old Steven R. Fowler of Salem, Va. was also identified as the individual that was hired to carry out the murder.
During the ongoing investigation, Hopper took his own life.
On Tuesday, December 3, Steven Fowler was served an indictment for Aggravated Murder for Hire and has been incarcerated without bond at the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail. He has been incarcerated since April 26, 2024.
“I want to commend our detectives for their tireless efforts in uncovering the truth behind this tragic case,” said Sheriff Matthew Ward. “Thanks to our detectives’ diligent work, we identified the people responsible for this cowardly and evil act. Justice doesn’t take a day off, and neither do we.”
This remains an ongoing investigation.
WFXR News will give updates once new information is released.