Franklin County, Virginia — In a case that has rattled a quiet Appalachian community, 24-year-old Emily Keene was found dead in her car on May 5, 2025, the victim of a brutal shooting that police have now confirmed was not a random act, but a calculated killing by someone she knew and trusted.
A Quiet Life Cut Short
Emily Keene was, by all accounts, a bright and kind-hearted young woman. Friends describe her as “gentle, artistic, and always smiling.” She lived a modest life in Rocky Mount, a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills of southwest Virginia. Her sudden and violent death has left the entire community mourning — and searching for answers.
On the morning of May 5, officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a car that had been sitting idly along a rural roadside for hours. Inside the vehicle, authorities found Emily’s lifeless body. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The Investigation Unfolds
The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke swiftly ruled her death a homicide. Within 48 hours, Franklin County Sheriff’s detectives made a startling announcement: two suspects had been identified and arrested.
On May 7, authorities took Corion Manns, 22, and Isaiah Witcher, 25, into custody. Both men were charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
A Betrayal of Trust
What made this case particularly disturbing to investigators and residents alike was the nature of the suspects’ relationship with Emily. According to court records, Emily had been in a relationship with one of the suspects — Isaiah Witcher.
The betrayal is all the more chilling. “We believe this was a personal dispute that escalated into something truly horrific,” said Sheriff Bill Overton during a press conference.
Arrest warrants reveal that Witcher confessed to being in the vehicle with Emily and Manns at the time of the shooting. However, he claimed that Manns pulled the trigger. Investigators are still working to determine each man's precise role in the killing.
Criminal Backgrounds Surface
The suspects' backgrounds paint a troubling picture. Public records show that Corion Manns has a history of violence, including multiple convictions for assault. Witcher, while less prolific in his criminal activity, has a past that includes charges for assault and battery, with at least one conviction.
Authorities are exploring whether past domestic incidents involving Emily and Witcher were reported — or if this was a case of escalating abuse that went undocumented.
A Town in Mourning
In the days following the arrests, friends and family of Emily Keene gathered for a candlelight vigil at a local church. “She deserved better. She deserved to live,” said one speaker through tears.
Franklin County, a place where violent crime is rare, is still coming to grips with what happened. “We see this stuff on the news from big cities,” said local resident Paul Tinsley. “We don’t expect it here.”
Domestic Violence at the Core?
While investigators haven’t officially labeled the case as domestic violence, advocates say all the red flags were there. The relationship between Emily and Witcher reportedly had moments of volatility, according to friends.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of how intimate partner violence can hide in plain sight,” said Kelly Marcus, director of a local women’s shelter. “We must do more to educate and protect.”
What Comes Next
Both Manns and Witcher are currently being held without bond in the Franklin County Jail. They are expected to appear in court for preliminary hearings in the coming weeks.
Prosecutors have not ruled out upgrading the charges or seeking life sentences depending on what further evidence is uncovered.
Meanwhile, Emily’s loved ones are left grappling with an unimaginable loss — and hoping that justice, however slow, will eventually prevail.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
If you are experiencing domestic violence or know someone who is, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org You are not alone.
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