Local communities face contract killings

BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA – Murder for hire – it may seem like the plot of a Hollywood thriller – but in recent weeks it has disappeared from the screen.

“This may be the Hollywood version, but sometimes it is implemented in real life,” said criminologist Dr. Death Burke.

In the last week, two cases of murder-for-hire have come to light here in our area – the first in Henry County, the next in Botetourt.

The criminologist Dr. Tod Burke tells us that these cases can be difficult to uncover – and that the statistics behind them are often inaccurate.

“Something could be left as a homicide and left that way when in fact it could be a contract killing,” Burke said.

We told you on Tuesday about Steven Fowler, who was charged with aggravated murder-for-hire in the death of 97-year-old Catherine Graff.

10 News obtained a copy of the indictment, which states: “Fowler knowingly, premeditatedly and premeditatedly killed Catherine Graff after being hired to do so by another.”

“There are many motives for contract killing, and it often takes a really good investigation to figure out what actually happened,” Burke said.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office says James Hopper staged the murder but took his own life during the investigation.

“It becomes even more complicated when the person who did the hiring dies,” Burke said.

Burke tells us that without concrete evidence or a paper trail, it can be difficult to prove a contract killing.

Evidence like we saw in Henry County – where the sheriff’s office says Gennevieve McGhee was captured on video detailing her plans, payment arrangements and instructions.

“It requires a lot of monitoring. It’s a long process. Normally this is not a situation and communication that is resolved in one fell swoop. And the longer the communication takes, the more evidence becomes against that person,” Burke said.

As for the motive, anything from drug and gang involvement to personal family matters is possible.

“Things for financial gain, especially inheritance or insurance fraud,” he said.

“Why would anyone choose this method?” 10 asked news anchor Abbie Coleman.

“Because it makes them feel like they’ve distanced themselves and they’re still getting what they want,” Burke said.