William Jason Roberts, 41, a retired United States Marine, and his 39-year-old wife, Ashley Marie Roberts, were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds outside a residence on River Ridge Road in Axton, Virginia, on the evening of June 25, 2024. Deputies from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at about 9:30 p.m. and pronounced both victims dead at the scene. The couple had been visiting from their home in Roanoke.

A 65-year-old man identified as William Lester Roberts, the father of William Jason Roberts, was taken into custody at the residence without incident and was charged in connection with the killings. The case record states the charges included counts related to murder and firearms; a jury later found him guilty on upgraded counts of aggravated murder, and he received life plus nine years.

Did anyone in the Axton or Roanoke communities know the Roberts family or see signs of trouble before June 25?