Cold Case Homicide

On Thursday October 9, 1980, Patsy Cowan had attended a picnic in Chesapeake from the late afternoon hours till around 7:30 pm. Real estate agents and builders from the Tidewater area had been invited to this large cookout by one of the areas larger builders to release plans for a new development on the land this picnic occurred. Patsy was seen arriving and leaving alone in her 1976 dark colored Oldsmobile. She returned home in the 4400 block of Smokey Lake Drive, a new housing development, at approximately 8:15 pm. She was found at approximately 11:45 pm, nude and suffering from several stab wounds. Since no signs of forced entry could be found at the home, it is believed that Ms. Cowan may have known her killer.

A handgun kept inside the home by Ms. Cowan is missing and is described as a Smith & Wesson "Top Break, Lemon Squeeze" nickel plated .38 caliber revolver. The person (s) responsible fro this brutal murder is suspected of taking this weapon.

Also missing from the residence and presumed taken at the time of the murder was a Colt 32-20 caliber chrome-plated six-inch barrel revolver, which was last manufactured in 1942. The left grip, over the Colt trademark, has a triangle-shaped chip mark.

Patsy was a 50 year old white female who had brown eyes and brown hair, 5' 5" tall, slim 120 pounds.

Example of a Smith & Wesson "Lemmon Squeeze" revolver

Investigators are asking anyone with information call Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

You WILL remain ANONYMOUS and can receive a reward of up to $1,000.