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I haven't been able to find a thread for the tragic unsolved 1981 murder of elementary school teacher Donna Ruth Dobbs. I haven't been able to find a photo of her yet.
Here's what I've been able to find on her case:
On the night of June 4, 1981, Donna Ruth Dobbs, age 32, a respected third grade teacher at Francis Elementary School in South Richmond, was found shot to death inside her home at 4221 Old Gun Road in northern Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Donna lived in the Bon Air area, a historic suburban community bordering the city of Richmond and near the James River.
Old Gun Road, where Donna’s home was located, is a winding, wooded street with homes set back from the road, providing both privacy and seclusion. The area was generally safe.
The road connects to Huguenot Road and Robious Road, major thoroughfares giving residents convenient access to Richmond. Many homes in the area were single-family houses with large lots and mature trees, typical of Bon Air in that era.
On the night of the murder, Donna was shot twice in her bedroom. Police found no forced entry, nothing stolen, and the weapon was never recovered.
Investigators believed she was first wounded when the gun went off, then shot at point-blank range, about 10 inches from her body. Powder burns on her hands suggested she tried to defend herself, and her blood was found about five feet from her body, indicating a struggle.
She was fully clothed and tests confirmed she was not sexually assaulted, suggesting the attack may have been intended as intimidation or an attempted assault.
Authorities found no recent incidents in her life that could explain the attack. Chesterfield Detective W. R. Long theorized that Donna was killed by a casual acquaintance or stranger rather than someone she knew well.
By December 1981, the case had remained unsolved for six months.
Donna’s close friend, Richmond gynecologist and obstetrician Dr. William G. Fitzhugh, posted a $25,000 reward to try and generate leads and hired private investigator David Long, who believed the case might eventually break if the killer confessed while drinking or talking with someone.
Despite these efforts, no suspect was ever identified or charged.
Donna was born in 1948 and remembered as a dedicated teacher, admired by students and colleagues alike. Her murder shocked the quiet Bon Air community and remains an open case listed in the Virginia State Police Cold Case database.
Investigators continue to seek information that could finally bring justice.
www.findagrave.com
dnronline.newspaperarchive.com
Here's what I've been able to find on her case:
On the night of June 4, 1981, Donna Ruth Dobbs, age 32, a respected third grade teacher at Francis Elementary School in South Richmond, was found shot to death inside her home at 4221 Old Gun Road in northern Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Donna lived in the Bon Air area, a historic suburban community bordering the city of Richmond and near the James River.
Old Gun Road, where Donna’s home was located, is a winding, wooded street with homes set back from the road, providing both privacy and seclusion. The area was generally safe.
The road connects to Huguenot Road and Robious Road, major thoroughfares giving residents convenient access to Richmond. Many homes in the area were single-family houses with large lots and mature trees, typical of Bon Air in that era.
On the night of the murder, Donna was shot twice in her bedroom. Police found no forced entry, nothing stolen, and the weapon was never recovered.
Investigators believed she was first wounded when the gun went off, then shot at point-blank range, about 10 inches from her body. Powder burns on her hands suggested she tried to defend herself, and her blood was found about five feet from her body, indicating a struggle.
She was fully clothed and tests confirmed she was not sexually assaulted, suggesting the attack may have been intended as intimidation or an attempted assault.
Authorities found no recent incidents in her life that could explain the attack. Chesterfield Detective W. R. Long theorized that Donna was killed by a casual acquaintance or stranger rather than someone she knew well.
By December 1981, the case had remained unsolved for six months.
Donna’s close friend, Richmond gynecologist and obstetrician Dr. William G. Fitzhugh, posted a $25,000 reward to try and generate leads and hired private investigator David Long, who believed the case might eventually break if the killer confessed while drinking or talking with someone.
Despite these efforts, no suspect was ever identified or charged.
Donna was born in 1948 and remembered as a dedicated teacher, admired by students and colleagues alike. Her murder shocked the quiet Bon Air community and remains an open case listed in the Virginia State Police Cold Case database.
Investigators continue to seek information that could finally bring justice.
Donna Ruth Dobbs (1948-1981) - Find a Grave...
www.findagrave.com
Harrisonburg Daily News Record – NewspaperARCHIVE.com
Harrisonburg Daily News Record newspaper archives from NewspaperArchive.com. Search, read, clip & save 5.6 billion names from 3.12 billion newspaper articles.
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