Senator Webb's Roanoke Staffer Found Dead In Botetourt County

From WDBJ Channel 7 in Roanoke;

The man who ran Senator Jim Webb's Senate office in southwest Virginia is dead.

Botetourt County authorities are investigating the gunshot death of a 26-year-old Fred Hutchins of Roanoke. His body was found shortly after seven o'clock this morning by a deputy sheriff who stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of US 220 north of Fincastle.

Sheriff Sprinkle identified the man as Frederick Wayne Hutchins, Jr., of Roanoke.

Hutchins had a single gunshot wound to the head and was found outside the vehicle on a small embankment beside the road. A gun was found beneath the body.

Botetourt authorities believe the death occurred between 4:30 a.m., when an officer passed the scene and no vehicle was present, and 7:08 a.m., when another officer stopped to check on the parked vehicle.

Press release from Senator Jim Webb's office:

Statement of Senator Jim Webb on the Death of Fred Hutchins



Washington, DC-Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today issued the following statement:



"I am terribly saddened by the tragic and sudden death of Fred Hutchins, who diligently managed our Roanoke Senate office. Freddie was one of the most honorable and friendly individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a mainstay in the Roanoke community and a friend to all who knew him. My condolences go out to his mother, Karen, and the rest of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed."

I didn't know Mr. Hutchins, but Senator Webb's description makes him sound like someone I would have liked. Condolences go out to his family from us here at I'm Not Emeril.