On a Wednesday morning, March 12, 1986, the body of William Herman Winston Jr., a 23-year-old Black male, was discovered by a motorist who had stopped to get water for his overheated car. Winston's body was found under a bridge off Bickerstaff Road in a secluded area of eastern Henrico County, Virginia. An autopsy later confirmed that he had died from multiple gunshot wounds. His death was the first homicide recorded in the county that year.
Investigators believe that at least two individuals were involved in the killing, as evidence indicated that two different firearms, a nine-millimeter and a. 38 caliber, were used. Winston had a gun in his belt, but he never had a chance to use it, suggesting he was with people he knew and trusted. The nature of the killing led detectives to suspect it was drug-related and intended to send a message. Despite being an active investigation for decades, the case remains a cold case with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified.
Winston's family described him as an athletic young man who played multiple sports and worked as a lifeguard. However, his family also acknowledged that he had become involved with the wrong crowd and was selling drugs, which they believe ultimately cost him his life. The family's grief was compounded nearly a year later when Winston's cousin, Judson Calvin, was also murdered. They suspect that the two murders are connected and that Calvin may have been killed for what he knew about Winston's death. The Henrico County Police continue to seek information from the public, hoping that advances in forensic technology and new leads will one day bring justice for William Winston Jr. and his family.
