CULPEPER, Va. — Dec. 18, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of Sheryl Warner, and the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is again asking the public for help in solving the case.
Warner was killed Dec. 18, 2005, at her home in the Reva area of Culpeper County.
The crime left three children without their mother, parents without a daughter, and a sister without her best friend, investigators said.
According to the CCSO, Warner was alone at her residence in the 8400 block of James Monroe Highway on the evening of the murder.
She was speaking on the telephone with her father and discussing an NFL game between Washington and Dallas when she heard a knock at the door.
Warner told her father that a person claiming to have a broken-down vehicle wanted to use her phone to call for assistance.
After the call ended, family members were unable to reach her despite repeated attempts.
Concerned relatives contacted the sheriff’s office, and deputies responded to the residence.
Upon arrival, deputies observed smoke coming from the home, and the fire department was dispatched.
Investigators later determined that Warner had been hanged in the basement and had also suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Items surrounding her body had been set on fire, contaminating the crime scene, though investigators said not all evidence was destroyed.
The sheriff’s office said it has remained committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the killing. Advances in forensic technology have since led to the development of DNA evidence that could be compared to individual suspects, though the DNA profile is not currently eligible for automatic comparison through the national database.
Detectives are seeking information that could help identify potential suspects for comparison.
A financial reward remains active for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
“Regardless of how insignificant you think your information might be, or even if you think we already are aware of it, please let us assess the relevance of your tip,” Sheriff T.W. Chilton said. “We remain committed to finding the person or persons responsible for the brutal and senseless murder of Sheryl Warner.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office at 540-727-7900, email Detective Crosswhite at mcrosswhite@culpepercounty.gov or Detective Cielakie at jcielakie@culpepercounty.gov, or submit tips anonymously to JusticeforSherylWarner@gmail.com. Information may also be provided in person or by mail at the sheriff’s office, 14023 Public Safety Court, Culpeper, VA 22701.
