By SHAWN STREET
Virginia State Police are investigating a murder-suicide in the Honaker area.
According to Matthew Demlein, Public Relations Coordinator for the VSP, the incident occurred on the evening of July 9, 2026.
“At approximately 8:43 p.m. on July 9, 2026, Virginia State Police was requested by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office to help with a shooting incident in the Honaker area of the county,” Demlein said.
When authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered that Larissa D. Cardwell, 45, of Chilhowie, had been shot.
“Russell County deputies located a male suspect, Walter E. Yates, Jr., 54, of Russell County,” Demlein added. “Yates then turned the firearm on himself.”
Both the Cardwell and Yates were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office is handling the investigation at the request of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
