Jack Stuart, May 15 2004
Intro
This week Rockbridge PD has put forth several pieces of information about the familicide crime against the Kershaw Family. For a brief recap of the dark crime: Four members of the Kershaw Family were found slain in their home last year on June 28, 2003. No clear motive or suspect(s) were known immediately after the crime. While law enforcement combed the house for clues, neighbors and friends were questioned. The police would ultimately declare that after an initial interrogation of suspects and follow up of possible leads that they were at a deadend. The untimely and gruesome murders of the Kershaw Family Massacre were a mystery.
New Details
Detective T.J. Grady gave a quick update of the cold case on Monday, and several details about the crime and it’s investigation was made public for the first time. Grady gave an overview on the forensics of the case and where the investigation stands at this point. Some of the most pertinent new information that was discussed is outlined below:
- It is believed that the murder weapon was either a mult-tool type instrument like a pick axe perhaps, or what is more believed is that two or three different weapons were used. This conclusion was based on the wounds inflicted upon the Kershaw family, which included different types of cuts/slashes along with blunt force trauma. Possible weapons that could have been used are an axe, machete, and/or heavy hammer.
- Three of the murders appeared to involve a struggle, indicated by blood pattern and disarray of the rooms the victim was found in. One victim is thought to have been taken by surprise and either did not or could not put up any defense. Which Kershaw this could be was not told, though we believe Victoria can be ruled out by the next point.
- Grady mentioned that Victoria Kershaw’s body received the most damage and the most strikes from the weapon(s). When asked in the follow up Q&A session if the investigation believed she was the main target due to this, Grady replied no comment. \
- As has been speculated before, the investigation acknowledges that it is fair to assume the Kershaws, or at least one of them, knew the assailants. This is largely because there was no sign of a break in.
- When asked how many were responsible for these crimes, Grady said that is still being worked on. As of right now the investigation believes the murders were carried out either by one or at most two individuals, but when asked for what led to that assumption the detective would give no comment at this time.
- Grady confirmed that a man claiming to have been having an affair with Victoria Kershaw was interrogated, but due to “timing and location” had no direct involvement with the crime and is not considered a suspect. Several further questions about the man and this angle of the murders was given no comment.
Waiting…
While many in the community were hoping to get more answers to this unsolved murder case, this new information is welcome at least. Due to the mystery behind the Kershaw Family Massacre, many speculations and rumors have been rampant since the crime was committed.