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Who Killed Aggie Albert?
Nearly 30 years on, the murdered 69-year-old’s family is leading a new push for answers.
In July 1992, Esther Agnes Albert was a well-known and well-liked part of her community in the small town of Covington, Virginia. The 69-year-old — known as Aggie — was an active member of her church and a volunteer for several good causes.
However, that same month, she was found dead in the street in a vicious crime that has never been solved. Now, Aggie’s family are leading a new drive for information in the hope that the public can help bring her killer to justice.
A pillar of the community
Aggie was born in April 1923 as the youngest in a first-generation Lebanese family. She had five sisters and three brothers, and was close to an extended network of further family members.
She worked at a local mill, delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered for the American Cancer Society and ran the church’s monthly bingo sessions. On a dedicated Facebook page, her niece Becky Beckstoffer recalled: “She was as generous as she was strong in her beliefs.”
Indeed, Aggie’s family viewed Sacred Heart Catholic Church on West Main Street as her second home. She took on the responsibility of keeping the church clean, organised collections, and was one of two organists there.
Night of the murder
On July 2nd 1992, Aggie attended church as usual to practise her music and get ready for the weekend’s masses. She was known for being something of a night owl and hadn’t left her house until around 9:30 pm, so would have remained on the premises fairly late.
Covington police officer Jon Hudson had been on foot patrol that night and later reported seeing the lights on at the back of the church when he passed at 10:00 pm. When he returned for another circuit at midnight, everything was in darkness.
At 6:30 am the next morning, a man who had just been released after spending a night at the town’s jail across the road made a horrifying discovery. Aggie was lying motionless on the pavement outside the Sacred Heart. She had been raped and murdered.
