Left inset: Kurt Davis (Roanoke Adult Detention Center). Right inset: Susan Williams (Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel). Background: Surveillance video showing Kurt Davis and Susan Williams in the lobby of her apartment building in Roanoke, Va. (Commonwealth Attorney’s Office/Roanoke Times/YouTube).
A man from Virginia has admitted guilt to the murder of an 80-year-old woman that occurred earlier this year. The tragic incident took place in a stairwell, where he fatally struck her with a rock after she questioned his residency in their building.
According to online court documents, Kurt Davis, 34, switched his initial plea from not guilty to guilty regarding the February 19th homicide of Susan Williams from Crystal Spring. This decision came on Monday as prosecutors presented evidence planned for trial, including footage of Davis interacting with, and subsequently attacking, Williams inside her apartment, as reported by local CBS affiliate WDBJ.
Police responded to a call at Williams’ apartment complex that Wednesday morning on the 2100 block of Yellow Mountain Road SE. They discovered Davis standing over her near the southeast corner of the building with a shovel, while Williams was found with severe injuries, according to the Roanoke Police Department reported.
Investigations suggest that the assault happened in a hallway of the complex and there seems to be no previous acquaintance between the suspect and the victim,” according to RPD officials.
Davis told cops he killed the octogenarian to “keep the peace” after encountering her in a hallway inside her complex, per WDBJ.
Surveillance video played in court by prosecutors showed Williams letting Davis inside her building, according to the Roanoke Times.
“The community is undoubtedly shaken by this incident,” said RPD Chief Scott Booth to reporters in February. “Our priority is to ensure a robust case against the defendant, ensuring justice for the horrific murder of Ms. Williams,” Booth emphasized.
Court records show Davis had a jury trial scheduled to begin on Sept. 3 before he entered his guilty plea Monday. He has a lengthy criminal history — including arson, assault and burglary — and was said to have been homeless at the time of the killing, which landed him a first-degree murder charge.
“I have known Ms. Williams for 20 years,” Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb told reporters after her death was first reported, according to WDBJ.
“She was a friend of mine; many of her family members are friends of mine,” Cobb said. “Like many in our community, I feel shock and anger right now.”
Williams has been described by friends and family as someone who worked with elderly residents in the area through the Local Office on Aging, with one colleague telling WDBJ that “that was her love … to take care of seniors.” She was reportedly the executive director of the LOA for more than 30 years and worked with the Council of Community Services.
“Never dreamed that something like that would happen to her, especially living in a safe building as she lived in that area of town,” said co-worker Shannon Abell. “I’m totally devastated and shocked.”
Davis is due back in court on Dec. 1 for a pre-sentence report.
