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Vol. 27, No. 39 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | January 26, 2011
Budget plan WHO KILLED JESSICA HATCH? gets support Richmond girl’s remains found here
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com Jessica Lee Sterling Hatch often walked from her Richmond home on West Grace Street to her grandmother’s on Hanover Avenue. Making her way through the city’s Fan District was common for the 12year-old. On Feb. 5, 1984, that would all change: Jessica went missing. Her remains were found on April 12 of that year on Watkins Road in a rural, wooded area of Rockville in Hanover County. Information on the cause of death has not been released. As the DAVIS 27th anniversary of Jessica’s disappearance and death approach, Investigator Christopher J. Davis of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office is now in his third year of pursuing justice for the pre-teen. He said he feels a unique connection to this case in that he was the
same age as Jessica when she was taken. It was around dusk, around 6 p.m., on that winter evening in 1984 when Jessica took off from the 2900 block of West Grace Street to the 3200 block of Hanover Avenue. The route she preferred had her traveling North Sheppard Street, a distance of 0.62 miles according to MapQuest. MapQuest lists the journey from Richmond to that remote portion of Hanover County at a little more than 25 miles. Davis said Jessica was reported missing the same day. “It was in the evening hours; it was early evening before dark, at dusk.” Her grandmother’s house was “several blocks away,” but, as the investigator said, “it’s within walking distance.” “Her normal path,” he said, “was to take Sheppard Street. She was walking alone this particular evening.” “We want to concentrate on the fact that she went missing between Grace Street and Hanover and Sheppard Street,” Davis said. “That was the path that she always would take.” He estimated it to be a five- to 10-minute walk. “She was allowed to go by herself,” he said. That particular evening, Jessica wanted to have dinner with her grandmother. Jessica was a student at Binford Middle School and played around the neighborhood where she went missing. Capt. Michael J. Trice said the Sheriff ’s Office is “reviewing previously collected evidence, working with the City of Richmond on this case right now. We’ve consulted with them,” he said of
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com One by one they came representing different facets of the education community, but their message was the same: A show of support for the budget proposed for 2011-2012 by retiring superintendent Dr. Stewart D. Roberson. Last Tuesday, the Hanover County School Board held a
JESSICA LEE STERLING HATCH Anyone with information on the February 1984 death can call the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 3656110 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or visit www.hanoversheriff.com
the Richmond Police Department. “We are reviewing the case file, re-evaluating information that’s been assembled so far, and seeking additional forensic examinations when possible.” Evidence collected at the scene is now available for new techniques. “We are taking a fresh look at this case, Davis said, “we do not have any tunnel vision based on information that has been gathered previously.” “We’re dealing with facts,” Trice said. In 1984, media outlets reported on the possibility of ties to satanic or ritualistic rites in Jessica’s death. “We are looking at every aspect of this case to maximize the information we see JESSICA, pg. 24 `
public hearing on the $203.8 million budget. Angela Downer, president of the Hanover Professional Educators, called Roberson’s proposal “economically sound.” Her organization also supports the 2.5 percent increase or bonus to all employees of Hanover County Public Schools. She also said the memsee BUDGET, pg. 8 `
New chair of supervisors hopes to reward employees By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
economy has influenced setting “really big goals.” But she As she settles into and her fellow board memthe lead position on the bers are looking at ways to Hanover County Board of recognize the dedication of Supervisors, Deborah B. see CHAIR, pg. 4 ` Winans said she realizes the Jim Ridolphi for The Local
G. Ed Via III, outgoing chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, presents a gavel to new chair Deborah B. Winans.