Virginia State Police Continue to Pursue Leads in 1996 Homicide of Alicia Showalter Reynolds

Virginia State Police say they are still actively investigating the abduction and homicide of Alicia Showalter Reynolds, 30 years after she disappeared along Route 29 in Culpeper County.

Alicia Showalter Reynolds

Reynolds, 26, was traveling from Baltimore, Maryland, to Charlottesville on March 2, 1996, when she was abducted after stopping along the southbound shoulder of Route 29.

Witnesses reported seeing Reynolds’ vehicle parked on the side of the highway. A white male, believed to be between 35 and 45 years old at the time, was seen outside her vehicle. He was described as having a medium build, light to medium brown hair, and standing between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall. The man was reportedly driving a dark-colored pickup truck, possibly a green Nissan.

As news of Reynolds’ disappearance spread, several other women came forward to report that a white male had either stopped them or attempted to stop them while they were traveling along Route 29 in Culpeper County around the same time.

Two months later, on May 7, 1996, Reynolds’s remains were discovered in the Lignum area of Culpeper County.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Culpeper Field Office, along with analysts from the Homeland Security Division’s Violent Crime Analytical Support Team, continue to review evidence and follow up on leads.

“We continue to pursue this case as if it occurred yesterday,” said Senior Special Agent Heather Marshall of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Culpeper Field Office. “We want to finally bring resolution for Ms. Reynolds’ family and know we could be just one tip or one call away from doing so.”

Over the past three decades, investigators have received more than 10,000 tips in the case.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Virginia State Police Division 2 Dispatch at (804) 750-8778 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.