ORANGE, Va. – October 26, 2011 – Nearly five years to the day of her death, justice was finally served yesterday in the murder of 27-year-old Justine Swartz Abshire. In a trial that ended at the Orange County, VA courthouse, Eric Abshire was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

"We always had faith that this be the eventual outcome and are in many ways relieved to have this behind us. We are also acutely aware of how much we owe to so many people, from Diana Wheeler and the Commonwealth attorney’s office, to Special Agents Mike Jones, Dennis Dodson and Virginia State police, to the members of the jury who dedicated their time to hearing the details of this case, as well as countless friends, family and supporters. We thank each and every one for the time, energy and perseverance required to solve the mystery of our daughter’s death," said Stephen Swartz, Justine's father.

After Eric Abshire’s account of the events of the night of the alleged hit-and-run accident became suspicious, investigators with the Virginia State Police, led by Special Agent Mike Jones, launched a thorough investigation into the manner and circumstance of Justine’s death. According to prosecutors the investigation concluded that based on a comprehensive review of the scene on Taylorsville Road in Barboursville, VA, a full autopsy of Justine’s body and injuries, forensic tests and witness testimony, Justine was indeed the victim of a calculated and purposeful murder by her husband of five months, Eric Abshire.

"While this outcome is bittersweet, we are filled with relief and gratitude that justice has been done. It has been a long and painful road for everyone. Now we can look to the future and begin to heal," added Heidi Swartz, Jusine’s mother.

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The Hook
http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/12/17/breaking-news-eric-abshire-arrested/

No justice: But special grand jury for Justine
Published November 3, 2009
BY COURTENEY STUART

While national attention focuses on the Charlottesville disappearance of Metallica concert fan Morgan Harrington, the parents of another young woman are quietly marking the third anniversary of their daughter’s death and hoping this will be the last time they pass the date without an arrest.
(Read Article)

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Fredericksburg Free Lance Star
Published November 4, 2008
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Minutes before a ceremony began commemorating the second anniversary of his daughter's death, Steve Swartz knelt down to console a third-grade girl in tears. The child had been one of Justine Swartz Abshire's Emerald Hill Elementary School kindergarten students and was now overcome with emotion as she recalled the day in 2006 when she was told that her teacher was dead.
(Read Article)

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The HooK
Published November 4, 2008
By Courteney Stuart

Two years after Justine Swartz Abshire was discovered dead or dying on a dark road near Barboursville, her parents marked the second anniversary of her death November 3 with a low-key service at Culpeper's Emerald Hill Elementary School, where Justine taught kindergarten. Yet as family and friends grieved Justine, her widower, Eric Abshire, who Justine's parents have publicly accused of causing their daughter's death, is facing new accusations of domestic abuse.
(Read Article)

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The Star Exponent
Published November 2, 2008
By Allison Brophy Champion

Two years after local kindergarten teacher Justine Abshire was found dead alongside a rural road in Barboursville, her family remains confident that, eventually, there will be justice for Justine. But for now, there are only memories of the gentle-natured 27-year-old known for her love of animals and reading.
(Read Article)

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The Star Exponent
Published November 3, 2008
By Rhonda Simmons

Loving, hopeful, enthusiastic, nurturing and trusting. Those were the words Justine Elizabeth Swartz Abshire's family used to describe the young newlywed during a memorial service Monday at Emerald Hill Elementary School.
(Read Article)

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The HooK
Published August 14, 2008
By Courteney Stuart

It was first considered a tragic but straight-forward incident of hit and run on a winding, moonlit country road in Barboursville. But the 2006 death of Justine Swartz Abshire, a 27-year-old kindergarten teacher, continues to vex investigators, as a series of discrepancies surround the late woman's husband, who insists on his innocence.
(Read Article)

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The Star Exponent
Published August 13, 2008
By Star Exponent - Robert Legge

Culpeper kindergarten teacher Justine Abshire did not die as the result of a hit and run, as initially reported in November 2006.
(Read Article)

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ABC News Primetime Crime Program to Featured Justine's Story

On Wednesday July 30th, 2008 ABC will aired a one hour special investigative report on the circumstances surrounding Justine’s death. Her family and friends welcomed this coverage. Go to the following link or to the "Primetime" section of the ABC website for more on the program.
(Read Article)

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The HooK
Published July 18, 2008
By Courteney Stuart

Family abuse? On Primetimes eve, woman files on Abshire
(Read Article)

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Stafford County Sun
Published July 17, 2008
By Allison Brophy Champion

ABC’s “Primetime Crime” will air the mysterious story of slain kindergarten teacher Justine Swartz Abshire on July 30, according an announcement from her family.
(Read Article)

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Richmond Times
Published July 13, 2008
By Allison Brophy Champion

CULPEPER - Family members of a kindergarten teacher whose 2006 death remains unsolved hope that clues will emerge after the case is featured on ABC's "Primetime Crime."
(Read Article)

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Cupleper Star Exponent
Published July 7, 2008
By Allison Brophy Champion

ABC's "Primetime Crime" will air the mysterious story of slain
kindergarten teacher Justine Swartz Abshire July 30, her family
announced Monday.
(Read Article)

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Cupleper Star Exponent
Published March 15, 2008
By Rob Humphreys

New details emerge in teacher's death
Investigator seeks help to solve the mystery behind Justine Abshire
(Read Article)

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The HooK
Published March 6, 2008
By Courteney Stuart

NEWS- Closing in? Foul play now cited in Abshire death (Read Article)

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The HooK
Published November 08, 2007
By Courteney Stuart

PHOTOPHILE- Remembering Justine: Vigil brings dozens to Orange (Read Article)

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The HooK
Published October 25, 2007
By Courteney Stuart

Remembering Justine: Vigil honors life of kindergarten teacher (Read Article)

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The HooK
Published June 14, 2007 in issue 0624
By Courteney Stuart

Justice for Justine: Questions Linger in Hit-and-Run Death (Read Article)

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The HooK
Published June 7, 2007 in issue 0623
By Courteney Stuart

Justice for Justine: The Reward Is Boosted As New Clues Surface In The Unsolved Killing Of Justine Swartz Abshire (Read Article)

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NBC29 News At Sunrise
WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA
May 22, 2007

"The parents of a kindergarten teacher killed in November want answers about what police are now calling an undetermined death."

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NBC 29 Charlottesville, VA
Abshire Death Now "Undetermined"
Reported by Leyla Santiago
May 21, 2007

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CBS Channel 19
WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA
Family Voices Suspicions in Daughter's Death
Reported by Lisa Ferrari
May 21, 2007
ABC 16 News At 7
WVAW-TV Charlottesville, VA
May 21, 2007
Reported by Lisa Ferrari

"A family who lost their daughter in an apparent hit and run accident is searching for answers. ABC 16's Lisa Ferrari joins us live..." (Read Article)

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NBC 29, Charlottesville, VA
Abshire Information Reward Increased
Reported by Lynne Vogt
May 14, 2007

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CBS Channel 19
WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA
$50,000 Reward in Hit and Run Case
Reporter: Lisa Ferrari
May 14, 2007

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Always a Mother
Liz Mitchell
Staff Writer
Sunday, May 13, 2007

A few days before Justine Swartz Abshire died, she called her mom to talk about her upcoming honeymoon, the kids in her kindergarten class and not being able to go home for the holidays. (Read article)

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Victim's Family Increases Reward to $50,000
Liz Mitchell
Staff Writer
Sunday, May 13, 2007

Heidi and Steve Swartz are hoping an increased reward might spur someone to talk about their daughter's unsolved case. Justine Swartz Abshire, a 27-year-old Barboursville resident and kindergarten teacher at Emerald Hill Elementary School, was killed in an apparent hit-and-run... (Read article)

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Justine lives on in spirit
Liz Mitchell
Staff Writer
Sunday, January 21, 2007

Justine Swartz Abshire's family members are committed to keeping her memory alive. Two weeks ago they launched a Web site, justineabshire.com, which focuses on her life. (Read article)

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More Memorable Deaths of 2006
Culpeper Star Exponent
Sunday, December 31, 2006

Saying goodbye is always difficult, and the Culpeper community mourned the loss of many important residents in 2006. (Read article)

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It Won't Be the Same Without Her
Liz Mitchell
Culpeper Star Exponent
December 25, 2006

For a Christmas toast to her daughter's memory, Heidi Swartz will pour French red wine and champagne from leftover wedding bottles. Justine Swartz Abshire... (Read article)

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NBC 29 - State Police Still Investigating Orange County Hit and Run
Reported by Lynne Vogt
November 21, 2006

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Slain Teacher's Parents Offer $10,000 Reward
Allison Brophy Champion
Culpeper Star Exponent
Saturday, November 11, 2006

The parents of Justine Swartz Abshire are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the hit-and-run incident that killed their daughter... (Read article)

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State Police Seeking Tips In Teacher's Death
By Liz Mitchell
Culpeper Star Exponent
Friday, November 10, 2006

The Virginia State Police is asking for the public's help in solving the apparent hit-and-run that killed Justine Swartz Abshire Friday morning. "We know somebody knows something," said Sgt. Les Tyler, public information officer for the state police. (Read article)

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NBC 29 - Family Looks for Answers after Daughter's Tragic Death
Reported by Leyla Santiago
November 10, 2006

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Crowd Overflows at Abshire Funeral
Allison Brophy Champion
Culpeper Star Exponent
Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Cold rain fell outside the funeral of Justine Swartz Abshire Tuesday night. But inside, warm thoughts turned to a kindergarten teacher remembered for her gentleness, patience and smile. (Read article)

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Memorial For Teacher Today in Gordonsville
Liz Mitchell
Culpeper Star Exponent
Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Family and friends from around the country are traveling to Gordonsville for Justine Swartz Abshire's memorial service today. (Read article)

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No New Details in Teacher's Death
Rhonda Simmons
Culpeper Star Exponent
Sunday, November 5, 2006

Two days after a hit-and-run accident that killed an Emerald Hill Elementary School teacher in western Orange County, police are still investigating the incident. (Read article)

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Teacher Killed In Apparent Collison With Car
State Police believe Justine Swartz Abshire died after hit-and-run
Rhonda Simmons
Culpeper Star Exponent
Saturday, November 4, 2006

A kindergarten teacher at Emerald Hill Elementary School was found dead early Friday morning after an apparent hit-and-run in western Orange County. (Read article)

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NBC 29 - Police Investigate Fatal Hit and Run
Reported by Annie Scholz
November 3, 2006

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CBS 19 - Fatal Hit & Run in Orange County
Lisa Ferrari

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