Grandson dies by suicide after allegedly plotting grandmother’s murder

FINCASTLE, Va. (WDBJ) – A man accused of plotting the murder of his grandmother, James W. Hopper, has died by suicide, according to the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, two men have been accused of being involved in the murder of 97-year-old Catherine Scheiner Graff. According to Rader Funeral Home, 53-year-old James W. Hopper was Graff’s grandson.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office responded at 9:50 a.m. to reports of an unresponsive woman found dead in the 4600 block of Blue Ridge Turnpike. The body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke, where an autopsy was performed and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Detectives from the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney to uncover evidence that suggested James W. Hopper was the mastermind of a murder-for-hire plot against the woman.

Steven R. Fowler, 30, of Salem, was charged with aggravated arson on December 3, 2024. Investigators have identified him as the man charged with committing the murder. He has been held without bail in the Botetourt-Craig Regional Prison since April 26, 2024.

“I want to commend our investigators for their tireless efforts to uncover the truth behind this tragic case,” said Sheriff Matthew Ward. “Thanks to the careful work of our investigators, we were able to identify those responsible for this cowardly and evil act. The justice system doesn’t take a day off, and neither do we.”

This incident is still under investigation.

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