On the morning of Wednesday, March 12, 1986, the body of 23-year-old William Herman Winston Jr. was found under a bridge off Bickerstaff Road in a secluded area of eastern Henrico County, Virginia. A motorist who had stopped to get water for an overheated car made the discovery. An autopsy determined Winston died of multiple gunshot wounds; his death was the first homicide recorded in the county that year.

Evidence indicated two different firearms—a nine-millimeter and a .38 caliber—had been used, and investigators concluded at least two people were involved. Winston had a gun in his belt but never had the chance to use it, a detail that led detectives to believe he may have been with people he knew. Detectives also suspected the killing was drug-related and intended to send a message.

Family described Winston as athletic, a multi-sport participant and lifeguard, and acknowledged he had been selling drugs. Nearly a year later his cousin Judson Calvin was also murdered; the family suspects a connection and that Calvin may have been killed for what he knew about Winston’s death. The Henrico County Police continue to seek information. Did anyone in the area at the time see or hear anything that could help this investigation?