Image courtesy of BCSO
Following an extensive investigation by the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), a Botetourt grand jury returned an indictment on December 2 of a Salem man in a murder-for-hire scheme that led to the death of a 97-year-old woman.
On April 25, 2024, at approximately 9:50 a.m., deputies responded to the 4600 block of Blue Ridge Turnpike, after the Botetourt Emergency Communications Center received a call of an unresponsive 97-year-old female. Upon the arrival of deputies, it was determined that the womanl was deceased.
The woman’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke, where an autopsy was performed, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The Office of the Medical Examiner identified the victim as Catherine Graff, 97, of Fincastle.
Detectives with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office worked in collaboration with the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney to uncover evidence pointing to a family member as the mastermind behind a murder-for-hire scheme targeting the victim. Detectives identified the victim’s grandson, James W. Hopper, 53, of Fincastle, as the alleged orchestrator of the murder-for-hire plot. Detectives also identified Steven R. Fowler, 30, of Salem as the person hired to carry out the murder.
During the course of the investigation, the suspected orchestrator, James W. Hopper, took his own life.
On December 3, detectives served Steven Fowler the grand jury’s indictment for Aggravated Murder for Hire. He has been incarcerated in the Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail since April 26, 2024, and is being held without bond.
“I want to commend our detectives for their tireless efforts in uncovering the truth behind this tragic case,” said Sheriff Matthew Ward. “Thanks to our detectives’ diligent work, we identified the people responsible for this cowardly and evil act. Justice doesn’t take a day off, and neither do we.”
This information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as detectives interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed. Certain details of the investigation are being withheld to protect the integrity of the case.
~ Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
