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FAMILY’S RESPONSE TO HUSBAND’S ARREST IN JUSTINE SWARTZ ABSHIRE MURDER CASE
Family Supports The Commonwealth and Continues Quest for Justice
ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – December 17, 2010 – Today, Virginia State Police arrested Eric Abshire for the 2006 murder of his wife, Justine Swartz Abshire. The family of Justine Swartz Abshire, parents Heidi & Stephen Swartz and sister Lauren Swartz, has released a statement regarding the arrest.
“It’s been 4 years, one month, and two weeks since Justine died. Instead of living with her joy and beauty, we have been forced to live with the terror of murder in our family. We continue to be extremely thankful for the unyielding dedication of the Virginia State Police and the Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in bringing resolution to this monstrous crime. As we take one step closer to Justice for Justine, we hope for the whole truth to come out and for justice to be served.”
Justine Swartz Abshire was reportedly killed on November 3, 2006 on Taylorsville Road in Barboursville, Virginia near the Greene County line in what first appeared to be a hit-and-run accident. She suffered 113 blunt trauma injuries including 23 to her head alone. Over four years of investigation led by the Virginia State Police has finally led to an arrest in the mysterious case.
Anyone with information that might pertain to Justine’s death should contact Special Agent Mike Jones at (800) 572-2260 or (540) 829-7400 or email . For more information about the life of Justine Swartz Abshire visit www.justiceforjustine.com.
About Justine Swartz Abshire
Justine Elizabeth Swartz Abshire was born to Stephen and Heidi Swartz on February 6, 1979 in Minneapolis, Minn. She spent her high school years with her family in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, completed her undergraduate studies at James Madison University and had just begun her graduate work in elementary education at the University of Virginia. She was sister to Lauren Swartz and a much loved and well-respected kindergarten teacher at Emerald Hill Elementary in Culpeper, Virginia. More information about Justine can be found at www.justiceforjustine.com.
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