Deceased/Not Found VA - Linda Lunsford, 38, Chesterfield, 26 Dec 1996 *arrest 2021, killer died 2023*

[Amy Noel]

[SIZE=+1]Linda Lunsford
[/SIZE]White female
5'1", 110 lbs.
Age at time of disappearance: 38
Date of Birth: 10/07/1958
Hair: Light Brown or Blond

The Chesterfield County Police Department is asking for any information related to the disappearance of Linda Lunsford on December 26, 1996. She was last seen in the area of the Village Marketplace Shopping Center on Midlothian Turnpike. Her burgundy Nissan Sentra was found by family members in the Food Lion parking lot in Midlothian.
At the time of her disappearance Ms. Lunsford was employed by Wal-Mart on Midlothian.
If you have any information concerning the disappearance or whereabouts of Linda Lunsford, please call the Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

 

[Amy Noel]

Lunsford was employed at the Wal-Mart store in the Village Marketplace on Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield County, Virginia. She worked a shift during the evening hours of December 25 into the early morning hours of December 26, 1996 to prepare for the post-holiday clearance sales. Lunsford and a co-worker purchased breakfast at a nearby fast-food restaurant at approximately 8:30 a.m. on December 26. She was scheduled to pick up her three daughters from her mother's house afterwards. Lunsford never arrived and has not been heard from again.
Lunsford's burgundy 1994 Nissan Sentra was discovered abandoned in the shopping center's parking lot, not far from her place of work, later during the day. There was no sign of her at the scene. Lunsford's family members said that it is uncharacteristic of her to leave without warning. She held two jobs to support her five children and other relatives. Lunsford had been divorced for two years by the time of her disappearance, and she did not have a boyfriend. Her case remains unsolved.

 

[Kat]

http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2006-01-25/News/006.html
Jan 25, 2006

Every December 26, Kathy Rose dials the phone number of the man she believes killed her big sister, and reminds him that she'll never stop searching for answers in the nine-year disappearance of her older sibling, 38-year old Linda Lunsford...

Very interesting article above.

http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?s=9583935&clienttype=printable
Updated: Dec 27, 2008 5:10 AM

..."It's like a neverending nightmare that you never forget," said Linda's son Jimmy...

http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=11170337
Updated: Sep 21, 2009 3:25 PM

Her family is still missing Linda. It's obvious by the articles listed above. Prayers that their questions are answered soon and Linda comes home to them.

 

[mamashawn]

I worked with her sons Jimmy and Ben about two years before her disappearance. The local paper ran an article some time ago about a possible connection between her and a UID found in WV. There was a thread here on websleuths about 3 jane does found in a remote area of WV...one was Asian. I can't seem to find it. Can anyone help?

 

[mamashawn]

http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79884&highlight=greenbrier

The local paper posted this Jane Doe as a possible match. I'm going to talk to Ben the next time I see him and see if there is anything further in the case.

 

[mamashawn]

Here is Linda's namus profile:https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/1078/0/

 

[Moxie Vi]

http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79884&highlight=greenbrier

The local paper posted this Jane Doe as a possible match. I'm going to talk to Ben the next time I see him and see if there is anything further in the case.

Hi! :seeya:

Any word on the match?

 

[SeeMamaRun]

Did you ever hear about the results for Linda and the Alta WV Doe? They look like a good match and I don't see Linda listed on the rule outs.

 

[Susan59]

Here is the Charley link for Linda:

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lunsford_linda.html

Her relatives have strong suspicions regarding who may have harmed her.

 

[Susan59]

A recent local story. A little more info.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/20429735...rom-chesterfield-16-years-after-dissappearing

"Later on, Lunsford's car was found locked and abandoned in the parking space. However, Rose says this wasn't the last place she was seen. She maintains that Lunsford went back to her ex-boyfriend's home.

'His kids saw her that day at his house,' said Rose. 'And then, she disappeared.'

The sisters say investigators found evidence that Lunsford's ex-boyfriend bought lighter fluid and trash bags, days before. He denies any involvement. Police had interviewed the man, but never charged him."

 

[Susan59]

And a sad footnote Christmas of 2012.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/20437184/fire-burns-down-family-home-of-missing-chesterfield-woman

"Linda Lunsford went missing back in 1996. One day after the anniversary of her disappearance, her mother's home was ruined by a fire. Inside the home were many mementos of Linda.

Police are still investigating the fire, to determine where it started and how. No one was home at the time. So, there are no answers about whether the two might be connected or whether this fire is even suspicious, or just coincidence.

Linda's family doesn't think they're connected, but they do a feel a tremendous loss because of what was lost in the fire."

A little better picture of the house:

http://www.vafirenews.com/2012/12/fire-burns-amelia-home-of-missing-chesterfield-woman/

 

[Susan59]

I believe this is the same story Kat posted above in July 2010. This is a working link as of today. Story is from January 2006.

http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2006-01-25/News/What_happened_to_Linda.html

"'We don't believe she's still alive,' said Lt. Robert Skowron, of the Chesterfield County Police Department.

Although police believe Lunsford was murdered, her body has never been recovered.

During police questioning, Lunsford's former boyfriend said she visited his home that morning to discuss their failed relationship. He said Lunsford left his house safe and alive. No one has seen her since."

<snip>

"Right before her disappearance, Lunsford was threatening to file a sexual harassment complaint against him at work, says her sister.

'He was stalking her,' claimed Rose. 'She made several statements at Thanksgiving that if anything happened to her, it would be him,' she said.

After Lunsford's disappearance, a search warrant of her former boyfriend's home turned up nothing. Police found out he'd purchased trash can, lighter fluid and duct tape using his credit card just days before Lunsford went missing. 'But he couldn't produce these,' said Rose. Although police suspect Lunsford met with foul play and her ex-boyfriend could be somehow involved, there has never been enough evidence to link anyone to the crime."

 

[mamashawn]

Did you ever hear about the results for Linda and the Alta WV Doe? They look like a good match and I don't see Linda listed on the rule outs.

I have not heard any news regarding this possible match. I hesitate to say anything to Ben. There never seems to be a good segue into conversation about his mom. I only see him for a few minutes every couple weeks.

Thank you Susan59 for posting the links to those articles.

 

[KateB]

Here is Linda's namus profile:https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/1078/0/

DNA Status: Initial inquiry underway

Perhaps a followup with Linda's family on the DNA submission status would be less awkward than asking about an unidentified body.

Linda has been missing for 18 years now.

 

[Richard]

This December 26 (2016) will mark the 20 year anniversary of Linda's disappearance.

I wonder if James Allen Kinney (currently incarcerated in Washington State) might have been involved.

 

[Richard]

Bumping for Linda.

 

[Richard]

Bumping. James Allen Kinney was in the Washington DC area about a week before Christmas 1996 and claimed to have come up from Richmond, VA. It is possible that he was back in the Richmond area by Christmas and the day after.

Kinney is serving a life sentence in Washington State for murdering a young woman. He is believed to have killed others as well. He eluded capture for a number of years and was featured on America's Most Wanted.

 

[Richard]

Bumping

 

[Richard]

This December will mark 22 years since Linda went missing.

 

[Richard]

The Doe Network:
Case File 1541DFVA

Linda Evans Lunsford
Missing since December 26, 1996 from Chesterfield County, Virginia
Classification: Missing

Vital Statistics

• • Date Of Birth: October 7, 1958
  • Age at Time of Disappearance: 38 years old
  • Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'1", 110 lbs.
  • Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Light brown to blonde hair.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Lunsford, a mother of five who lived in Amelia, disappeared December 26, 1996, after having coffee with a co-worker at the McDonald's in the Village Marketplace shopping center off Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield. She went there after finishing her shift at the Midlothian Wal-Mart at 8:30 a.m.

Family members found her 1994 burgundy Nissan Sentra in front of the Food Lion store in the Village Marketplace, just north of McDonald's. Police examined the car, which was locked when they found it, but found nothing suspicious.
Lunsford, worked two jobs to support her family. She was an employee of Wal-Mart on Midlothian Turnpike.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Chesterfield County Police
804-748-1277
OR
Crime Solvers
804-748-0660

Source Information:
Chesterfield County - Colonial Heights Crime Solvers
Chesterfield County Police Department
redorbit

LINK:

The Doe Network: Case File 1541DFVA