AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Patricia Wiggington was arrested Sunday in connection to the murder of Amherst woman Elsie Wiggington and made an appearance in court Thursday morning for her bond hearing.
After hearing from both sides, the judge quickly settled on a $2,500 bond for Patricia, who has been charged with one class six felony count of accessory after the fact and one misdemeanor count of obstructing justice, according to criminal complaint records obtained by WFXR News.
Patricia is the ex-wife Fred Wiggington, who was charged with Elsie’s murder in August and is awaiting trial.
“We’re still hurting to know that a part of Elsie’s murder is going free today,” said Elsie’s sister Mary Jordan, who was in the courtroom along with other family members.
The state asked for no bond to be set for Patricia, calling her actions in misleading investigators “heinous,” and “inexcusable.”
The defense argued that Patricia would not pose a flight risk and ultimately the judge set the bond at $2,500, allowing her to walk free for now.
“To me she’s a monster just as much as Fred and for her to be able to go back to doing what she did on Monday, it’s just uncalled for,” said Jordan. “I don’t believe justice was served today.”
The criminal complaint pertaining to Patricia’s role in the crime alleges that Patricia denied any knowledge of Elsie’s whereabouts in two interviews with police last summer.
“Patricia was interviewed on 5/23/2024 and told law enforcement she didn’t know what happened to Elsie and that Fred [Wiggington] thinks Elsie is still alive,” reads the complaint.
By an interview that took place in July, Patricia’s tone shifted to a more detailed belief.
“Patricia told investigators she thinks Elsie took off and does not think Fred did anything to hurt Elsie,” reads the complaint.
But five days after Elsie’s body was discovered buried under the concrete on the property of 673 Pendleton Drive in August, Patricia spoke with investigators again.
“She admitted to law enforcement she withheld information, advising Fred told her he hurt Elsie, that he killed Elsie, and that he buried her under the concrete,” continued the complaint. “Patricia assisted in the cover-up of Elsie’s demise for over a year and misled investigators during their investigation.”
The complaint also alleges that Patricia had moved into the house at 673 Pendleton Drive where Elsie’s body was found the same weekend that Elsie was killed.
“The fact is this is now almost two years later and you don’t have any remorse for living on top of a dead person for a year,” said Jordan, who said she and her family will be at every court appearance for Fred and Patricia.
Fred and Patricia are currently under a no-contact order.
An April 4 preliminary hearing has been set for Patricia’s case.