VA VA - Dicky Palmer, 51, Floyd, 22 April 2003

[los2188]

Who killed Dicky Palmer and his dog?

On April 22, 2003, Dicky Palmer, a 51 year old barber and photographer. who owned his own barber shop, was killed in his front yard in Floyd, Virginia. The killer(s) also killed his Australian Red Heeler named Rufus. They reportedly drove Dicky’s truck 40 miles and got rid of his body beside Perry Park in Roanoke,Virginia in an area where drug dealers occasionally congregate. When you first hear this story, you might assume they put Palmer's body in the bed of the truck. However, they put it in the cab, along with his dog. There was a 40 mile trail of blood.

The victim's mother can see the spot where her son was killed. She lives within sight of her son's home in Floyd County Virginia. Dicky and his neighbor Sandra were very close to each other. They were also brother and sister.

The night before the murder of Dicky, two people stopped by, his sister's home unannounced, interrupting dinner. Sandra Palmer wonders if there was a connection...someone scoping out Dicky's home. Dicky walked toward his house to see what they wanted. When he returned, Dicky told Sandra it was someone interested in dog breeding. Was the dog breeding bit just a ploy?

The morning of his disappearance, Palmer had been helping his dad repair something. They needed screws, so Dicky decided to go back to his home and get them. "Tell me where they are, and I'll go go them.'"And Dicky, his father said, 'No Dad, I know where they are. And I'll go get them.' And he left. And we never saw him again," said Dicky's mother, Betty Palmer.

Palmer was a dedicated family man and father. No one's ever been charged with the crime.There are many theories behind this case, yet the case remains unsolved. If you know anything about this case, remember anything, saw anything, call Virginia State Police at 1-800-542-5959.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/wdbj7-cold-case-who-killed-dickie-palmer-20110131,0,6753708.story

 

[rosario]

Oh my gosh this is horrible

 

[los2188]

Oh my gosh this is horrible

I couldn't have said that better. Killing the dog too. Why? The only reason I could come up with is maybe the dog was protecting his owner.

 

[BOESP]

Just wondering if anything new has turned up in this case. TIA

 

[BOESP]

Bumping this case.

 

[JnRyan]

I just searched Google and there is nothing. Nada. Zip. This one has really gone cold.

 

[BOESP]

Here's a few things I haven't seen before.

Classmate comments:
http://www.fchs1969.com/class_profile.cfm?member_id=1752366


OBITUARY
http://www.genealogybuff.com/ucd/webbbs_config.pl/read/3253 (then use "search" to find "Dicky")


DIGITAL ARCHIVES from Virginia Tech:
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/WDBJ-7/script_archives/03/0903/092603/092603.11.htm

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 22, 2025

https://www.wfxrtv.com/floyd-county/indictments-announced-in-2003-cold-case-for-homicide-of-floyd-county-man/

“After 21 years, it is incredibly satisfying to provide answers to the Palmer family in the brutal murder of Dickie” said Senior Special Agent Douglas R. Hubert, (VSP, BCI-GIS Salem). “Special thanks for the diligent efforts of the Virginia State Police to develop the evidence necessary in this case to proceed with charges. Special Agent Hubert and Special Agent Cromer completed the investigation started so many years ago by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation,” said Eric Branscom.

An arrest is pending and the suspect will be named in the near future.

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 22, 2025

“Never a cold case.” Charges pending in 2003 Floyd County murder

Virginia State Police announced an arrest of someone already in custody was imminent for the death of Richard “Dickie” Palmer.

www.wdbj7.com

Tuesday, Virginia State Police announced that an arrest of someone, already in custody on other charges, was imminent for the death of Richard “Dickie” Palmer, whom police said was killed in Floyd, but his body was moved to Roanoke, where it was found in his pickup along with the remains of his dog.

Richard "Dickie" Palmer's murder solved after nearly 22 years

Authorities in Floyd County have announced a significant development in a nearly 22-year-old murder case.

wset.com

Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Branscom said the case is complicated and will take a great deal of time. "I don’t expect us to happen quickly, but I do expect it will be moving forward," Branscom said.

Suspect in custody in 2003 Floyd County murder

A suspect is in custody for the murder of a man in 2003, according to Virginia State Police.

www.wdbj7.com

April 22, 2003, the body of Richard “Dickie” Palmer was found in his pickup, along with the remains of his dog, according to police. The pickup was found on 12th 1/2 Street SW, at Perry Park, in the City of Roanoke. ...

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office went to Palmer’s home in Riner the next day; blood had been reportedly found in the yard by a family member. The Sheriff’s Office asked Virginia State Police to lead the investigation, since more than one jurisdiction was involved.

Cold case: Incarcerated suspect indicted by grand jury in 2003 murder of Roanoke man, dog

An incarcerated man has been linked to the 2003 murder of a Roanoke man, Richard "Dickie" Palmer, and his dog, Rufus.

augustafreepress.com

The suspect, who has not been named, was indicted by the Floyd County Grand Jury this week for the homicide more than two decades ago.

Virginia State Police said there is no danger to the public due to the suspect’s incarceration.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“It’s been almost 22 years and it seemed almost too good to be true, but we are so very thankful that someone is finally going to be held accountable for our brother’s death. We just wish our parents could have been here to see this,” said Beth Burbage, Palmer’s sister

“Never a cold case.” Charges pending in 2003 Floyd County murder

Virginia State Police announced an arrest of someone already in custody was imminent for the death of Richard “Dickie” Palmer.

www.wdbj7.com

 

[bluestsocks]

The suspect was arrested and named. Very curious what relationship if any he had to the victim, but haven’t seen anything on that. Maybe someone will find a probable cause filing at some point. He’s already in jail for some heinous stuff through 2030.