Fincastle, Va. (WSET) – New details have emerged in a murder-for-hire plot in Botetourt County, Virginia, in which a 97-year-old woman, Catherine Graff, was killed. The Virginia Medical Examiner confirmed Graff’s death in April was due to asphyxiation. The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office revealed that James Hopper, 53, allegedly hired Steven Fowler, 30, to kill his grandmother, Graff.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that Hopper, the victim’s grandson, took his own life. Fowler, who was once married to Hopper’s daughter, was indicted this week and charged with aggravated murder for hire. Fowler had previously been arrested in late April on separate charges, including possession of fentanyl, methamphetamines, and a firearm. In July, he pled guilty to these charges and is serving a five-year prison sentence.
The investigation, which involved the use of electronic devices and cooperation from law enforcement agencies both within Virginia and beyond, took several months. Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Gillian Deegan described the case as “very in-depth.”
The exact motive behind the crime remains unclear, and authorities continue to investigate if officials initially suspected murder when deputies first discovered Graff’s body.
