According to the Roanoke Times and WDBJ-TV Roanoke, 26 year old Fred Hutchins Jr. was found at the shoulder of a local road in Botetourt County.
Authorities in Botetourt County this morning discovered the body of a well-known Democratic operative and U.S. Senate aide along U.S. 220, dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
The body of Frederick W. Hutchins Jr., 26, of Roanoke was found shortly after 7 a.m. along southbound U.S. 220 by a Botetourt County deputy who had stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the highway’s shoulder, according to the sheriff’s office.
[UPDATE: 1841EDT Thanks to Masked Cat, who caught the part of the article I missed. Fred Hutchins was found with a gun under his body, according to the link for the Roanoke Times.]
From WDBJ7-TV Roanoke (link above)
A statement from Senator Jim Webb:
I am terribly saddened by the tragic and sudden death of Fred Hutchins, who diligently managed our Roanoke Senate office. Freddie was one of the most honorable and friendly individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a mainstay in the Roanoke community and a friend to all who knew him. My condolences go out to his mother, Karen, and the rest of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
I know all our condolences go out to the Hutchins family and the Senator and his staff at this time.
Rest in Peace, Fred.
A picture I found won't show up on my photo storage site. It was a picture of Fred and Senator Webb.
Mark