In the early spring of 2022, a 56-year-old woman named Tracy Lynn Butler vanished from Henrico, Virginia, under deeply concerning circumstances. She and her husband, Lester Carlton 'LC' Epps Jr., had been residing at the Woodspring Suites hotel on West Broad Street since the previous fall. Hotel staff last recalled seeing Tracy on or around the first of March. A disturbance in their room, marked by loud noises and banging, prompted a call from the front desk, which Lester answered—a behavior noted as unusual for him. After this, Tracy was never heard from again. At the time of her disappearance, she was described as a white female with blonde hair and green eyes, standing at 5 feet 2 inches and weighing approximately 145 pounds. She sometimes wore glasses for reading or work.
The situation took a grim turn just days later. On March 6, police in Richmond responded to a call about an armed man and found Lester Epps on the porch of a residence.
Authorities reported that he was acting aggressively and was fatally shot after refusing to drop his weapon. The following day, when officers from both the Richmond and Henrico police departments went to the Woodspring Suites to inform Tracy of her husband's death, they discovered she was not there. This realization officially marked the beginning of her missing person case. The investigation into her disappearance is being handled by the Henrico County Police Division.
The investigation has uncovered troubling evidence that suggests foul play. Authorities believe Lester Epps may have been responsible for his wife's disappearance and probable death. Surveillance footage from the hotel showed him with a luggage cart, moving a large, blanket-wrapped object into a car. The discovery of blood at the hotel further deepened the suspicion surrounding the circumstances of Tracy's disappearance. Prior to these events, Tracy's family had expressed concern over her relationship with Epps, noting a change in her behavior after they married. They described her as becoming withdrawn and under his control, a concern that was amplified by his violent criminal history. Despite extensive searches, Tracy's whereabouts remain unknown, and her case is an active and unresolved investigation as authorities continue their efforts to find her.Last Seen: Mar 1, 2022
