In the quiet, rural setting of Dillwyn, Virginia, the life of George Bruce Bowles, a 56-year-old White male, was abruptly ended. A hardworking logger by trade, Bowles was a man who found his peace in the outdoors, with a deep love for hunting and fishing that he passed down to his children and grandchildren. He was known for his understanding of the woods and his strong faith.
On the evening of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, events took a tragic turn inside a home on Plank Road.
Around 6:30 p.m., the Buckingham County Emergency Operations Center received a startling 911 call from a woman named Tanya Whetzel. In her call, she stated that she had just shot her husband.
When deputies from the Buckingham County Sheriff's Office arrived at the residence, they discovered George Bowles deceased inside the home. Emergency medical personnel were also dispatched to the scene but confirmed that he had died before their arrival. His body was subsequently transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for an autopsy.
Tanya Whetzel was taken into custody at the scene without incident. Following the initial investigation, she was arrested and faced multiple serious charges in connection with Bowles's death. The charges filed against her included first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm within an occupied building. Whetzel is currently being held without bond at the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville as the investigation into the shooting continues. Authorities have assured the public that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
