PRINCE WILLIAM — Virginia State Police have closed a 52-year-old homicide investigation, identifying a suspect in the 1973 killing of a Washington, D.C., woman whose body was found in a Prince William County state forest.
Shirley L. Washington, 33, was discovered dead on Dec. 8, 1973, in Conway Robinson State Forest outside Gainesville. After decades of investigative work, authorities now say her husband, Clarence E. Washington, was responsible for her death.
Clarence Washington died in 2013 at age 68. According to the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the case would have been prosecuted had he been alive.
“My Chief Deputy and I have reviewed the information and evidence provided by the Virginia State Police regarding the 1973 unsolved homicide of Shirley Leona Washington,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth said. “We are convinced, from the evidence before us today, that the murder was committed by her husband… however… we are unable to prosecute the case.”
Investigators said Shirley Washington had moved out of the couple’s home after her husband was accused of assaulting a minor. Prior to her death, he had threatened her at the Washington, D.C., residence where she was staying with her mother.
Authorities cited multiple factors pointing to Clarence Washington, including a lack of an alibi, his refusal to cooperate with investigators at the time, and statements indicating he intended to harm the victim. He also had a history of violent offenses, including a prior stabbing of an ex-wife and later assaults on acquaintances.
Shirley Washington suffered eight stab wounds, according to investigators. Police also noted that Clarence Washington had knowledge of the state forest where her body was found, something he denied during the original investigation.
The case was revisited in recent years by Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents, with support from analysts in the Homeland Security Division’s Violent Crime Analytical Support Team. Additional funding for testing and analysis came through the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
Attorney General Jay Jones said the initiative played a key role in advancing the case.
“The Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has helped bring closure to this decades-long investigation,” Jones said. “I am proud of the hard work and collaboration of the Virginia State Police to bring this case to a just resolution.”
Senior Special Agent C. McClure said the resolution, though long delayed, provides some measure of closure.
“It is a relief to be able to provide closure to Shirley Washington’s family after all these years,” McClure said. “It is yet another example of Virginia State Police personnel who do not give up on solving cold cases.”
Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.
