Remembering Justine

Two years after local kindergarten teacher Justine Abshire was found dead alongside a rural road in Barboursville, her family remains confident that, eventually, there will be justice for Justine.

But for now, there are only memories of the gentle-natured 27-year-old known for her love of animals and reading.

On Monday, the anniversary of Justine’s death, her parents Steve and Heidi Swartz invite friends, fellow teachers, parents and students to a memorial service at Emerald Hill Elementary School in Culpeper, where she taught kindergarteners.

The vigil is set for 3:30 p.m. in the school library.

“We wanted to do something at the school this year because that was one of the best parts of her life,” said Steve Swartz, who lives with his wife in Tennessee.

“She did a lot of good there and she is deeply missed by a lot of people there,” he said.

Justine’s family, including younger sister Lauren, held a vigil last year in Orange County, around the time ABC’s Primetime began filming a segment on Justine’s mysterious death, Steve said, noting, “It was hard to concentrate on the reason we were there.”

This year, the vigil is more about Justine’s life.

“We thought we would do something that is more about her in a place and with people that meant a lot to her,” Mr. Swartz said. “We would love for those people who knew her from the Culpeper area and had some connection with her through the school to come.”

Monday’s vigil will include the hanging of a memorial quilt, planting of a maple tree in Justine’s honor and remarks by friends and family to remember her life.

“If anybody wants to say something, they will be welcome to,” Mr. Swartz said.

Emerald Hill Elementary School principal Stacey Timmons encouraged vigil attendees not to show up too early because school dismisses between 3 and 3:15 p.m. and so there will be minimal parking around that time.

Apart from news of the vigil, Mr. Swartz wanted to impart this message as well: “We still are 100 percent confident that her case will be solved. We have every faith in the state of Virginia and having said that though this event on Monday is about remembering Justine.”

Her death was first thought to be a hit-and-run, but the State Police said this spring that new evidence has been uncovered that may point to foul play.

New details in the case also emerged with the Primetime Crime airing in July.

In the segment, ABC reported Justine’s injuries were not only the result of being struck by a car. Instead, she suffered multiple blunt instrument injuries to her head and body.

There were no skid marks or blood at the scene, Primetime further reported, and Justine, a newlywed looking forward to a January honeymoon in Jamaica, displayed “defensive injuries” as well.

Abshire’s friends and family are offering $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for her death. For more details, see, justiceforjustine.com.

“We think we know what happened,” said Mr. Swartz of his daughter’s death, “but the Virginia State Police have a reputation for being both good and also very quiet so I really don’t know.

“I see the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they know,” he added.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or .

If you go
The family of the late Justine Abshire invites friends, teachers, students and parents to a vigil marking the two-year anniversary of her death Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Emerald Hill Elementary School in Culpeper, where Justine was a kindergarten teacher.
The school is located at 11245 Rixeyville Road.
Please don’t show up early, school officials ask, because school lets out from 3 to 3:15 p.m. and there will be minimal parking around that time.