Virginia State Police Identify Suspect in 52-Year-Old Cold Case

After more than five decades, Virginia State Police say they have solved the 1973 murder of Shirley L. Washington, bringing long-awaited answers to a case that remained a mystery for years.

Shirley L. Washington

Washington, 33, of Washington, D.C., was found dead on December 8, 1973, in Conway Robinson State Forest near Gainesville in Prince William County. She had suffered eight stab wounds. At the time, the case went unsolved.

Now, investigators with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation say new analysis and a review of evidence point to her husband, Clarence E. Washington, as the person responsible. He died in 2013 at the age of 68.

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the findings and said the case could not be prosecuted due to the passage of time, lost evidence, and the deaths of key witnesses. However, officials said the evidence strongly supports the conclusion.

“We are convinced, from the evidence before us today, that the murder was committed by her husband,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth. She explained that the case faces challenges due to the passage of time, but noted that the investigation still provides important answers.

Investigators say Shirley Washington had separated from her husband before her death. This followed accusations that he had assaulted a minor. Authorities said he later threatened her while she was staying with her mother in Washington, D.C.

Clarence E. Washington

Officials also pointed to a history of violence. Clarence Washington had been charged in earlier stabbing cases involving an ex-wife and other people. Investigators said he also had knowledge of the state forest where Shirley Washington’s body was found, though he denied that at the time.

Ashworth said the suspect had a clear motive and could not account for his whereabouts when the murder took place. She added that he refused to cooperate with police during the original investigation and made statements suggesting he intended to harm his wife.

The case was reopened and reviewed with help from specialized teams, including analysts working on violent crime cases. Funding and support came through the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which helps law enforcement test evidence and reexamine older cases.

Attorney General Jay Jones said the program played a key role in solving the case. “The Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has helped bring closure to this decades-long investigation,” he said, praising the teamwork involved.

Virginia State Police also highlighted the dedication of investigators who continued working the case over many years. Senior Special Agent C. McClure said it was important to provide answers to the victim’s family. “It is a relief to be able to provide closure to Shirley Washington’s family after all these years,” he said.

While no charges will be filed, officials say the findings offer a sense of resolution. The case stands as an example of how cold cases can still be solved, even after many years.