WV - Edna 'Mae' Trout, 57, found dead in van, Charles Town, 14 Aug 2008

[Simplicity]

Opening post edited since there was no link.

CHARLES TOWN -An autopsy has been completed on a woman found dead in a van Friday in Jefferson County, although the results so far have not been conclusive about the cause of death.

"The findings are still not being released," said Sgt. R.T. Dyroff of the West Virginia State Police on Monday.

Edna Mae Trout, 57, of Mount Airy, Md., was found in her Ford van Friday at a pull-off area near the Millville Powerhouse between Bloomery Road and the Shenandoah River, approximately three miles north of the intersection with W.Va. 9.
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/509516.html

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I just learned of this horrific murder this afternoon. According to sources, a machete was used in this murder. Supposedly, a gang <might> be suspect.
Too many unsolved murders in this area.

 

[hipmamajen]

They're saying the wounds may be self-inflicted? With a machete?

Was the machete still there?

 

[Simplicity]

A machete was used in this horrible murder. However, because < if might be gang related>, the authorites are being cautious. My source is not a law enforement official, but, obviously knows someone who knows a lot more than I do. I plan of driving to the area sometime tomorrow.

No, the machete was not at the scene. From what I understand, the gang who is suspect at this time only uses machete's to kill their victims. I don't want to say what gang they suspect might be responsible for this crime.

The murder happened 12.4 miles from my home.

 

[boston_baby]

how are they even trying to suggest self-inflicted wounds if the weapon was not at the scene?
P.S. There's really only 1 gang known for its use of machetes, so it's not a secret

 

[MeoW333]

Sounds like MS13; i think they have a rep of using machetes.
Wasn't there another case where a woman was found murdered in either VW or VA that was a gang related type one? In that case the only identifying factor was a tattoo she had.

In this case, the woman doesn't seem like she would have gang ties. You never know nowadays; and maybe it was a "jumping in type scenario". In any case the woman was scared prior to being killed.

 

[Jesikah1]

She also may have been witness or tried to prevent criminal activity, thereby ending up a victim in a gang related slaying. Are drugs prevalent in that area? How awful for the victim and her family.

 

[SoccerMom]

.

I know that I have a suspicious mind, but I want to know why the husband keeps apologizing. In the short article that was posted, he was quoted as saying "I'm sorry" twice. What exactly is he sorry for in this case?

 

[fran]

Interesting, yet baffling. Keep us up to date with anything you find out.

Be CAREFUL!

fran

PS.....I don't think the hubby meant anything by 'I'm sorry.' I think he's just upset. They were live-in bf/gf for over 30 years. He's heartbroken. fran

 

[shadowangel]

MS-13 has a large presence in northern Virginia...Especially around Charlestown, Roanoke and Smithfield; They certainly could be expanding their territory. The use of machete would certainly indicate MS-13.

The Crips are known to have a presence in southern WV, in the Charleston area.

 

[Jesikah1]

I know that I have a suspicious mind, but I want to know why the husband keeps apologizing. In the short article that was posted, he was quoted as saying "I'm sorry" twice. What exactly is he sorry for in this case?

In my opinion he is prefacing his doubtfulness on the speculation that it could be suicide. It seems it is when he was talking about that aspect of the death that he used the word "sorry". I got the impression that he wanted to make it clear that the family thinks this was murder but also doesn't want to offend Law Enforcement, hence the apologies. JMO!

 

[Malapoo]

Sometimes people use the term "I'm sorry" in a more indignant term. Like "I beg to differ", but saying she did it to herself is ridiculous.

 

[lizzybeth]

Does anyone have a link to this story?

 

[fran]

Does anyone have a link to this story?

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=79035

Woman's partner suspects foul play involved in death



http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/509516.html

Autopsy yields no answers

 

[gaia227]

Those articles are not very informative are they? Did she make it to work?
If she did go gambling after work surely LE is checking surveillence since all casinos have lots of cameras. Was there any indication she was robbed? How much cash was found with the body? It is possible the perps were hanging out at the casino with the intent of watching people and targeting someone who had won money. Perhaps she won some money and decided to leave and they attacked her at some point, killed her and robbed her. If they were smart they would take some of the money and leave some behind to not make their motive as obvious.

 

[martinelli]

Sometimes people use the term "I'm sorry" in a more indignant term. Like "I beg to differ", but saying she did it to herself is ridiculous.

I am the victims daughter. In response to my father saying "I'm sorry"
> it was because he was having an emotional breakdown on a life
> interview and he was apologizing for the emotion. My father has no
> doubt this was a homicide. The only facts we have been given by
> police is that the weapon was a box cutter, not a mechette and it was in the van. her
> injuries were too horrifying to suggest something a women would do much less my mother.
> Some injuries were also described as defensive wounds. We could not
> confirm if she made it to work as she was a contractor cleaning an
> office walk way that was not occupied. My mother was not homicidal,
> depressed, nor has she ever done drugs. She was a hard worker, who
> loved her family and just had a new grandson that she would be
> babysitting. You can conclude anything you wish but my mother was my
> father's whole world. They were together happily for 34 years and had
> 3 children together. As far as everyone was concerned they were married.
> Even if I can't get on if someone could please post this I would
> appreciate it.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Lynn Martinelli

 

[White Rain]

I am the victims daughter. In response to my father saying "I'm sorry"
> it was because he was having an emotional breakdown on a life
> interview and he was apologizing for the emotion. My father has no
> doubt this was a homicide. The only facts we have been given by
> police is that the weapon was a box cutter, not a mechette and it was in the van. her
> injuries were too horrifying to suggest something a women would do much less my mother.
> Some injuries were also described as defensive wounds. We could not
> confirm if she made it to work as she was a contractor cleaning an
> office walk way that was not occupied. My mother was not homicidal,
> depressed, nor has she ever done drugs. She was a hard worker, who
> loved her family and just had a new grandson that she would be
> babysitting. You can conclude anything you wish but my mother was my
> father's whole world. They were together happily for 34 years and had
> 3 children together. As far as everyone was concerned they were married.
> Even if I can't get on if someone could please post this I would
> appreciate it.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Lynn Martinelli

I am extremely sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family and I hope the police find out the truth!

 

[Chicogirl36]

I am the victims daughter. In response to my father saying "I'm sorry"
> it was because he was having an emotional breakdown on a life
> interview and he was apologizing for the emotion. My father has no
> doubt this was a homicide. The only facts we have been given by
> police is that the weapon was a box cutter, not a mechette and it was in the van. her
> injuries were too horrifying to suggest something a women would do much less my mother.
> Some injuries were also described as defensive wounds. We could not
> confirm if she made it to work as she was a contractor cleaning an
> office walk way that was not occupied. My mother was not homicidal,
> depressed, nor has she ever done drugs. She was a hard worker, who
> loved her family and just had a new grandson that she would be
> babysitting. You can conclude anything you wish but my mother was my
> father's whole world. They were together happily for 34 years and had
> 3 children together. As far as everyone was concerned they were married.
> Even if I can't get on if someone could please post this I would
> appreciate it.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Lynn Martinelli

Lynn,

Thank you for sharing those horrific deatils of what your mother went thru. My heart goes out to you, your dad, and the rest of your family. Your mother sounded like a good person and Im sure she will be missed.

What a shame when people commit such horrible, heinous acts on innocent victims. Again, Im sorry for your loss. I hope they find out exactly who did this to your mom. Hope fully with DNA- Its a shame to hear your community is so gang infested.

BTW- Welcome to Websleuths!! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help bring this jerk to justice! :blowkiss:

 

[txsvicki]

What a terrible loss. I'm shocked to read that the weapon was a box cutter. It's not the type weapon that I'd think of to be used in a murder.

 

[vibec]

How horrible. My mom lives in Charles Town. It's a beautiful little town full of wonderful people. I am so sorry for this family.

 

[Truthful Lies]

Lynn,

Thank you for writing....I'm praying for your family.