In the quiet town of Mendota, Virginia, the life of 21-year-old Elizabeth Marie Vanmeter, known to her loved ones as Marie, came to a tragic end. Adopted at the age of six, Marie was described by her family as a loving and trusting individual with a big personality and a bright smile, though she also faced the challenges of a mental disability. At nineteen, seeking independence, she left home and found work with a traveling carnival. It was there she met James Michael Wright, a sub-contractor who ran the pony rides. The two began a relationship, and Marie even expressed a desire for her family to meet him.
The communication from Marie to her family eventually ceased, sparking concern. Their fears were realized when they received a devastating phone call from the police. On or around February 28, 2019, following an argument with Wright, Marie was shot and killed. Her body was later discovered buried in a shallow grave near Wright's residence in Mendota.
The investigation into Marie's disappearance and death uncovered a horrifying truth: she was one of three women killed by Wright over an 18-day period. In 2019, James Michael Wright was arrested and confessed to the killings of Elizabeth Marie Vanmeter, 17-year-old Jocelyn Alsup, and 25-year-old Athina Hopson, though he claimed each death was accidental.
After years of legal proceedings, the case against Wright moved to trial. In January 2023, just days before his trial was set to begin, James Michael Wright pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to three consecutive life sentences, bringing a close to the tragic case that deeply impacted three families and the community.
