On a cold January night in 2018, the life of 38-year-old Crystal Lynn Averett was cut tragically short in Danville, Virginia. The events that led to her death unfolded at the residence of 54-year-old Richard R. Towler, culminating in a tense standoff with police and the discovery of Averett's body.
The evening began with an invitation from Towler to his daughter, Crystal Glass, and her friend, Crystal Averett, for dinner at his home on Halifax Road.
Later that night, the situation escalated into violence. Just after midnight on January 7th, police received a 911 call from a frantic Crystal Glass, who reported that her father was shooting at her. She managed to escape the house and alert the authorities.
When Danville Police officers arrived at the scene, they were met with gunfire from inside the residence. A standoff ensued as officers established a perimeter and attempted to negotiate with Towler. During the standoff, Towler himself called 911 and made a chilling confession, stating that Averett was dead, that she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and that he had hurt her.
The standoff ended when Towler emerged from the house, once again firing at the officers. An officer returned fire, fatally wounding Towler. Upon entering the home, police discovered Crystal Averett deceased inside. The Virginia State Police were called in to investigate both the officer-involved shooting and Averett's homicide. The subsequent investigation determined that the officer was justified in the use of deadly force against Towler.
