WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | UPDATE: Senator Webb's aide found dead beside Rt. 220 in Botetourt County

UPDATE: Senator Webb's aide found dead beside Rt. 220 in Botetourt County

The man who ran Senator Jim Webb's Senate office in southwest Virginia is dead.

Botetourt County authorities are investigating the gunshot death of a 26-year-old Fred Hutchins of Roanoke.  His body was found shortly after 7:00 Tuesday morning by a deputy sheriff who stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of US 220 north of Fincastle.

Sheriff Sprinkle identified the man as Frederick Wayne Hutchins Jr. of Roanoke.

Hutchins served as Delegate Onzlee Ware's legislative aide for three years.  But the Roanoke lawmaker first met him when Hutchins was just 13-years-old.

"At 13-years-old, Fred had political cards, and it said Fred W. Hutchins Jr., Political Consultant... at 13," says Ware.  "So then he announced to me that one day he knew I was going to run for public office and when that day came he was going to be my campaign manager."

Ware says he will always remember Hutchins as a passionate colleague and loyal friend.

Hutchins had a single gunshot wound to the head and was found outside the vehicle on a small embankment beside the road.  A gun was found beneath the body. 

Botetourt authorities believe the death occurred between 4:30 a.m., when an officer passed the scene and no vehicle was present, and 7:08 a.m., when another officer stopped to check on the parked vehicle.

Press release from Senator Jim Webb's office:

Statement of Senator Jim Webb on the Death of Fred Hutchins

Washington, DC-Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today issued the following statement:

"I am terribly saddened by the tragic and sudden death of Fred Hutchins, who diligently managed our Roanoke Senate office. Freddie was one of the most honorable and friendly individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a mainstay in the Roanoke community and a friend to all who knew him. My condolences go out to his mother, Karen, and the rest of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed."