The Murder of Cynthia Carver

Cynthia Carver (35) was reportedly abducted from her home in Newsoms, Virginia on February 21st, 2019. The small community of Newsoms only has a population of 299 residents, and many members of Cynthia's family lived in Newsoms as well. In fact, Cynthia was discovered to be missing by her mother, who drove by Cynthia's house around 1:00 PM the following day. 

As Cynthia's mother was driving by, she noticed the front door was open. Her mother explained, “I stopped and came in, and when I came in I saw blood and stuff in the house. [The blood was] right here at the door and in the living room, and there was a knife lying in front of the sofa.” Cynthia’s mother then called the police to report her daughter missing. Once investigators arrived on the scene, they determined that Cynthia likely did not leave her home voluntarily. From that point forward, Cynthia's disappearance was investigated as a kidnapping.

In March 2019, Cynthia's body was found in Suffolk, Virginia. She died of multiple stab wounds. The Medical Examiner's Office ruled Cynthia's death as a homicide. Investigators later revealed that they believe Cynthia was murdered by a man she planned to meet up with on the night of her disappearance. 

Finally, in June 2019, a man named James Goodwyn (39) was arrested and charged with Cynthia's murder. Police initially interviewed Goodwyn in March 2019, and he told them that he spoke with Cynthia via Facebook messenger but did not go to her house on the evening of her disappearance. Investigators were able to determine that Goodwyn lied, and when they confronted him at this, he admitted that he did go to Cynthia's house that night, but he stayed inside his car and talked to her in the driveway. Investigators did not buy his story, and on June 28th, 2019, they were able to secure a warrant for his arrest. 

James Goodwyn

Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Goodwyn's DNA also linked him to Cynthia's murder. In fact, his DNA was found under Cynthia's fingernail - which was a contributing factor that led to the murder charges. Despite having reasonably strong evidence, it took years for the case to move forward.

Goodwyn finally went to trial in April 2025 - over six years after Cynthia was murdered. A jury ultimately found him guilty of first-degree murder. In July 2025, a judge sentenced Goodwyn to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

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Sources:
13 News Now (2)
WAVY