Suspect arrested in Frederick County murder

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the Tuesday, June 21 murder of a Kernstown man.

A media release from the office of Sheriff Lenny Millholland today stated that deputies were making a welfare check at the Fay Street home of Rufus Holland Tuesday morning when they discovered a blood-like substance on the front door.

After knocking on the door and getting no response, deputies entered the home and discovered the body of Rufus Holland in the living room. Lieutenant W.W. Gosnell said in a statement that an investigation determined that Holland was the victim of a murder, though no manner of death was released.

Michael Anthony Hill

Frederick County investigators determined, based upon collected evidence and interviews that Frederick County resident Michael Anthony Hill was a person of interest in the murder. The investigation revealed that the victim and Hill were acquainted.

Gosnell says in the release that investigators did not believe the suspect was a threat to the community, so the FCSO did not inform the public of the alleged murder or the suspected involvement of Hill as they attempted to locate him.

On June 22, officers located Hill in the city of Winchester, and he was taken into custody without incident around 9:00 pm, the release states.

Hill has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Facility in Winchester, VA. Officials have not commented on a motive.

Hill is scheduled to have a bond hearing on Friday, June 24 at 11:15 am in Frederick County General District Court and a preliminary hearing on Aug. 30 at 2:00 pm.