Virginia State Police Solve 52-Year-Old Cold Case: Shirley Leona Washington Murdered in 1973 On December 8, 1973, Shirley Leona Washington, a 33-year-old woman from Washington, D.C., was found deceased in Conway-Robinson Memorial State Forest in Prince William County, Virginia. Her body bore eight stab wounds. For over five decades, the case remained unsolved until the Virginia State Police announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, that the homicide investigation had been closed. According to the Virginia State Police, Shirley Washington was married at the time of her death and resided in Washington, D.C. Investigators determined that her husband, Clarence E. Washington, was involved in her death. Clarence Washington, who died in 2013 at age 68, had a history of violence, including prior charges for stabbing an ex-wife in 1964 and additional acquaintances in the 1980s. State police reported that Shirley had moved out of their shared home after Clarence was accused of assaulting a minor, and he subsequently threatened her at her new residence before her death. Despite identifying Clarence Edward Washington, Jr. As the perpetrator based on evidence reviewed by investigators, prosecutors stated they could not pursue charges due to the elapsed time, deterioration of physical evidence, and the death of key eyewitnesses. Amy Ashworth, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, confirmed that whereas the evidence convinced her office of Clarence Washington’s guilt, prosecution was no longer feasible. The case, designated ViCAP #2009VSP00001, had remained an active homicide investigation for over 50 years. Its resolution marks one of the longest-standing cold cases in Virginia to be officially closed by state authorities. The Conway-Robinson Memorial State Forest, where Shirley’s body was discovered, is located in Prince William County, Northern Virginia. No further details regarding the investigation or evidence have been released beyond what was disclosed in the official announcement. The Virginia State Police continue to encourage the public to come forward with information on unsolved cases through their cold case unit.
58