The Murder of Emma Compton

Emma Compton, a small business owner from Halifax County, Virginia, was found murdered in 2017 after disappearing under mysterious circumstances and after years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Seven years later, her family continues to seek justice, as no arrests have been made in the case, and they remain committed to raising awareness and finding answers for her unresolved murder.

Research assistance by Anna Luria and Whitney St. Andre. 

And thank you to Brandie from Evaporate the Missing, who put us in touch with Emma’s sister Shawna. 

If you have any information in Emma’s case, please call the Halifax County crime line at 434-476-8445. 

Shawna is thankful for everyone who is listening to this episode. It means the world to her to know that people now know about Emma, and the incredible, incredible human being she was. Shawna said she hopes that “Maybe Emma can save a life or more or can give at least one person a reason to not to go back…to leave & NEVER EVER LOOK BACK.” 

For more information about domestic violence awareness month including resources for survivors, supporters, and ways to give back, including joining us and Navigating Advocacy Podcast in our  Survivor's Bag Drive, check out momsandmysteries.com/dva. 

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Sources: 

Sources:

1. https://www.timesvirginian.com/news/article_1686a486-580b-11e7-822b-0f6070bab2df.html

2. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/emma-compton-layne-still-missing-four-months-after-disappearing-n815781

3. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/four-years-dateline-s-missing-america-90-still-missing-n826516

4. https://www.facebook.com/TomRodgers197/posts/missing-woman-in-halifax-county-vaemma-layne-age-52-was-last-seen-on-saturday-ev/260060507734080/

5. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/remains-found-very-shallow-grave-identified-missing-virginia-woman-emma-n837286

6. https://www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_f342c0f2-d52f-11e7-b4bc-cb5cabdfc22a.html

7. https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/medical-examiner-neck-injury-caused-death-in-2017-homicide/article_2b07667a-9396-11e9-b9b5-37dda535c91f.html

8. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/New-billboard-in-Halifax-Co-to-help-solve-Emma-Compton-Layne-murder-561157591.html

9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgqWAZ1cQdY&ab_channel=WSLS10

10. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Vigil-to-be-held-for-Halifax-County-murder-victim-Emma-Compton-Layne-568552601.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0RPQ3cLtTwBFHE3aAISaGC2hhFOku8wH6jBQTdgJRygpxfes7UJDocxJo_aem_dDfHz6nR1coB6kCl-KWbOg

11. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Three-years-later-Who-murdered-Emma-Compton-Layne-571298181.html

12. https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/11/22/emma-compton-layne-murder-still-unsolved-six-years-after-her-body-was-found/

13. https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/11/24/family-emma-compton-layne-still-seeking-justice-six-years-after-her-murder/

14. https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/justice-for-emma-rally-hosted-in-unsolved-death-of-nathalie-woman/article_f7b56cd2-2c0a-11ef-a6d6-bbbd81dc549b.html

15. https://www.change.org/p/5-years-no-justice-for-emma-compton-layne

16. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Emma-Laynes-family-wants-justice-for-her-murder-469039723.html

17. https://wset.com/news/local/one-year-later-emma-laynes-sister-still-seeking-justice

18. https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/reward-offered-in-search-of-missing--year-old-cody/article_31787f4a-59e0-11e7-a45e-7f5dc8ffffb9.html

19. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Halifax-County-missing-woman-search-continues-two-weeks-later-431832353.html

20. https://www.wsls.com/news/2017/08/03/vigil-being-held-for-missing-halifax-county-woman/

21. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Human-remains-found-in-Halifax-Co-foul-play-expected-459605953.html

22. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Family-believes-human-remains-found-in-Halifax-County-belong-to-Emma-Layne-460626173.html

23. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/SHARE-Police-search-for-missing-woman-from-Halifax-county-429921923.html

24. https://www.evaporatethemissing.com/post/with-butterfly-kisses

25. https://www.facebook.com/HelpFindEmmaComptonLayne

26. https://www.yourgv.com/news/lightmare-says-sister-of-missing-cody/article_d96de88e-6d86-11e7-a1cd-d3a4270a79ed.html

27. https://www.yourgv.com/obituaries/sylvia-whitlow-mccurry/article_5d5effb4-b1e5-11e7-95a9-8bf90331c580.html

28. Interview with Shawna