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FAMILY’S RESPONSE TO HUSBAND’S ARREST IN JUSTINE SWARTZ
ABSHIRE MURDER CASE
Family Supports The Commonwealth and Continues Quest for Justice
ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – December 17, 2010 – Today, Virginia State Police
arrested Eric Abshire for the 2006 murder of his wife, Justine Swartz Abshire. The
family of Justine Swartz Abshire, parents Heidi & Stephen Swartz and sister Lauren
Swartz, has released a statement regarding the arrest.
“It’s been 4 years, one month, and two weeks since Justine died. Instead of
living with her joy and beauty, we have been forced to live with the terror of murder
in our family. We continue to be extremely thankful for the unyielding dedication of
the Virginia State Police and the Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
in bringing resolution to this monstrous crime. As we take one step closer to Justice
for Justine, we hope for the whole truth to come out and for justice to be served.”
Justine Swartz Abshire was reportedly killed on November 3, 2006 on
Taylorsville Road in Barboursville, Virginia near the Greene County line in what first
appeared to be a hit-and-run accident. She suffered 113 blunt trauma injuries
including 23 to her head alone. Over four years of investigation led by the Virginia
State Police has finally led to an arrest in the mysterious case.
Anyone with information that might pertain to Justine’s death should contact
Special Agent Mike Jones at (800) 572-2260 or (540) 829-7400 or email
info@justineabshire.com. For more information about the life of Justine Swartz
Abshire visit www.justiceforjustine.com.
About Justine Swartz Abshire
Justine Elizabeth Swartz Abshire was born to Stephen and Heidi Swartz on February 6, 1979 in
Minneapolis, Minn. She spent her high school years with her family in the Charlottesville, Virginia
area, completed her undergraduate studies at James Madison University and had just begun her
graduate work in elementary education at the University of Virginia. She was sister to Lauren Swartz
and a much loved and well-respected kindergarten teacher at Emerald Hill Elementary in Culpeper,
Virginia. More information about Justine can be found at www.justiceforjustine.com.
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