It is with deep regret that the Town of Alderson and the Alderson Police Department report a homicide within town limits. The deceased is Marissa Mann-Bennett. An alleged suspect is in custody.
At 9:03 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, the Greenbrier County 911 Center was contacted in reference to an unresponsive female at 847 Maple Avenue, West, in Alderson (Greenbrier County).
Upon arriving at the scene, the EMS Unit from the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department realized that a crime had likely occurred at the residence. EMS personnel appropriately secured the scene and immediately contacted law enforcement.
Alderson Police Chief Todd Williams immediately responded to the scene and determined that this was likely a homicide. Patrolman Hannah responded to assist Chief Williams and went to protect the victim’s children who had been at a friend’s residence overnight. After confirming the immediate safety of the children, Patrolman Hannah went to the outer perimeter of town due to the possibility of the alleged suspect’s returning to the children.
Chief Williams requested the assistance of the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Team in processing the scene. Within 20 minutes Crime Scene Unit One of the Sheriff’s Department arrived.
Chief Williams initiated the “BOLO” for the alleged suspect’s vehicle. Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Unit #4 spotted the vehicle in Fairlea and initiated a traffic stop in Lewisburg with the assistance of units from Lewisburg Police Department, other Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department units, and units from the West Virginia State Police.
The alleged suspect, Zachary Hess Dawson, was taken into custody without incident and was taken to the Lewisburg Detachment of the West Virginia State Police for processing and questioning. A criminal complaint has been filed in the Magistrate Court of Greenbrier County and Dawson is currently lodged in the Southern Regional Jail.
Chief Todd Williams of the Alderson Police Department is in charge of the investigation and is working with Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Via to pursue the case.
The Alderson Police Department and the Town of Alderson are extremely grateful to the West Virginia State Police; the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department; The Lewisburg Police Department and the Greenbrier County Prosecutor’s Office who responded initially and continue to respond to assist in the prosecution of this tragic crime. Sheriff Bruce Sloan especially deserves mention due to his drive to have an effective Crime Scene Unit to handle incidents such as this in our county.
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