ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Albemarle County Police Department is investigating what they say began as a missing person report and turned into a potential homicide and suspected suicide.

The sequence of events began when 51-year-old Robert Gerald Shifflett, a resident of Albemarle County, contacted ACPD on Friday morning to report his 50-year-old wife, Kristie Powell Shifflett, as missing. He informed authorities that he last saw his wife at their residence on March 21.

On Saturday at approximately 12:20 p.m., a member of the community discovered Kristie’s vehicle abandoned in a remote field located in the western area of the county. Following this discovery, detectives contacted Robert Shifflett to find out more details. Police say that conversation led them to turn their investigation into a missing person inquiry to a potential homicide case.

That investigation took another turn on Sunday at around 8:40 a.m., when officers received a report of an unresponsive man at Rockgate Cemetery in Crozet. When they arrived, police say they discovered the body of Robert Shifflett. They are now investigating his death as a suspected suicide.

During the course of the investigation, detectives say they were able to pinpoint a potential location for Kristie Shifflett.

On the same day, a collaborative effort between ACPD and the Virginia State Police led to the discovery of a body believed to be Kristie Shifflett in a makeshift grave situated in a remote area off Yellow Mountain Road.

The body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for identification.

Authorities emphasize that this incident is being treated as isolated.

They are asking anyone that might have any relevant information to contact Detective Holmes at (434) 296-5808 or make an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers at (434) 977-4000. Information can also be provided via email at crimestoppers@albemarle.org.

This marks the first reported homicide within Albemarle County in 2024.