OCT 28, 2020
A Family’s Plea
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THIS PHOTO of Chad Austin was among those released by state police last week as part of their ongoing murder investigation.
VIRGINIA State Police organized the press conference about Chad Austin’s murder investigation at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway last week, near where he was last seen in May 2019 at Panther Falls. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
ELLEN AUSTIN, Chad Austin’s mother, speaks to news outlets about her family’s mission to get justice for Chad in the ongoing investigation. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
Chad Austin’s family is urging anyone with information about their son’s murder to come forward to help solve the Virginia State Police’s investigation, ongoing for nearly a year and a half.
Austin’s family appeared together at a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 21, along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The event served as a call from both family and law enforcement to get one step closer to justice for Austin, who would have turned 32 the following day.
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“To even fathom that our son’s life was taken so early, is so hard for our family to bear,” Ellen Austin said. “To have Chad missing for a year and then to find out your son is dead has been horrific. Some were saying that at least you found him, but that doesn’t even begin to help us have closure because there are still so many unanswered questions. That’s why we need your help - everyone’s help. No matter how big or small, if you know something, please call state police or the Buena Vista Police. Please do this for our family.”
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A search of the immediate area resulted in several personal items belonging to Austin, to include two knives, being found about a half mile from his abandoned car. Both knives were found with the blades in the open position. Additional forensic evidence collected at that location confirms that a struggle took place between Austin and his killer that ultimately led to his death. Six months after he was reported missing, Austin’s wallet turned up at Panther Falls.
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“We especially want to hear from the individual(s) who returned Chad’s wallet to the scene more than six months after his disappearance,” Zirkle said. “It was not overlooked on previous searches of that area. We know it was intentionally placed there and, perhaps, there is a very reasonable explanation. We have been trying to figure out why that person, though, has not contacted us yet.”
Zirkle said that state police have also been able to confirm through text messages on Austin’s phone that in the days leading up to his disappearance and death, he was anticipating being confronted by a group of individuals who were determined to settle a disagreement with him.
“We have no reason whatsoever to believe that Chad was looking for trouble, but we do know that he had a reason to suspect a confrontation was inevitable,” Zirkle said. “We know there are additional people in the Buena Vista community who know certain pieces of information related to Chad’s death, but are fearful to come forward for a number of reasons. We want to reassure these individuals that our Number 1 goal is to correctly identify the person who did this to Chad. We know this was the act of one person, but that others were witness to his murder. We need to hear from those persons in order to render an arrest and see justice done for Chad and his family.”
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On the Parkway, Ellen Austin showed media new “Justice for Chad Austin” fliers the family will be circulating. She asked that community members share his image on social media to encourage others to come forward with information. Those with any information about Austin are encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at (540) 375-9589 or contact the investigators by email at
questions@vsp.virginia.gov.