On the evening of January 21, 2023, the community of Chilhowie, Virginia, was shaken by a grim discovery that marked the end of a life and the unfolding of a tragedy. Betty Elizabeth Evans Call, a 62-year-old female, was found deceased in her home on Warhawk Lane. The events of that night began to come to light when authorities were dispatched to her residence around 8 p.m. following a report of a domestic incident possibly involving gunfire.
Upon their arrival, deputies were met with a somber scene. Inside the home, they located Ms. Call's body in the front room, bearing an apparent gunshot wound. A further search of the residence led to the discovery of a second individual, 58-year-old Randall C. Rouse, in a back bedroom, also deceased from what appeared to be a gunshot wound.
Subsequent investigation by the Smyth County Sheriff's Office painted a clear and heartbreaking picture of the events that had transpired. The case was determined to be a murder-suicide. Investigators concluded that Randall C. Rouse was the perpetrator, having taken the life of Ms. Call before turning the weapon on himself. The authorities confirmed that no other individuals were involved in the incident and did not anticipate any further action in the case. Both bodies were transported to Roanoke for autopsy to officially determine the causes of death. The motive behind this tragic act was not publicly disclosed.
Betty, who was born on June 7, 1960, in Richlands, Virginia, was remembered by friends and family. Funeral services were held on January 26, 2023, at Bradley's Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie, followed by a graveside service at Westwood Memorial Gardens the next day. The investigation into her death concluded with the identification of the suspect and the determination of the murder-suicide, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a neighbor and friend.
