On February 11, 1984, the body of 44-year-old James Franklin Harris, a white male, was found in a wooded area in York County, Virginia. Investigators determined he died from a single small-caliber gunshot wound to the back of the head, and his death was ruled a homicide. For decades the case remained unsolved with no arrests and no publicly identified suspects.

Years later the Virginia State Police reopened the file and ultimately identified who they believe was responsible. The person named by investigators was deceased, and the case was closed as an exceptional clearance because the offender had died. The identity of the person and the investigative steps leading to that conclusion have not been released.

If anyone has information about Harris, his activities in York County in early 1984, or remembers anything relevant from that time, please come forward.