Crystal Lynn Averett was 38 when she died during a violent incident at a home on Halifax Road in Danville, Virginia, in the early hours of January 7, 2018. She had been at the house for dinner after an invitation from 54-year-old Richard R. Towler, who was the homeowner and father of Crystal Glass.

Late that night Crystal Glass escaped the house and called 911 saying her father was shooting at her. Officers arriving at the scene faced gunfire from inside; a standoff followed while negotiators tried to make contact. Towler called 911 during the standoff and told dispatchers that Averett was dead, that she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and that he had hurt her. Towler then emerged firing at officers and was fatally shot by an officer. Police found Averett deceased inside the home.

The Virginia State Police investigated the homicide and the officer-involved shooting; investigators determined the officer’s use of deadly force was justified. If anyone knew Crystal Averett, her movements that night, or has information about the events at the Halifax Road residence, please come forward.