The 1980 Disappearance of Gina Renee Hall: Virginia's First No-Body Murder Trial

The Case of Gina Renee Hall

Gina Renee Hall was a 21-year-old college student at Virginia Tech when she disappeared on September 25, 1980. She was last seen leaving her dorm room to go to the library. Her car was found abandoned in the parking lot of the library, but there was no sign of Gina.

Police immediately began a search for Gina, but they could not find any trace of her. There were no witnesses who saw her after she left her dorm room, and there was no evidence to suggest that she had been abducted or killed.

Under the Trestle: The 1980 Disappearance of Gina Renee Hall & Virginia’s First “No Body” Murder Trial.

by Ron Peterson Jr.

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5223 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	334 pages

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As the days turned into weeks, the case of Gina Renee Hall became one of the most baffling missing persons cases in Virginia history. Police conducted extensive searches of the area, but they could not find any trace of her.

In 1984, four years after Gina's disappearance, a break in the case finally came. A man named Richard Evonitz was arrested for the murder of two other women in Virginia. When police searched Evonitz's home, they found evidence that he had also killed Gina.

Evonitz was convicted of Gina's murder in 1985. He was the first person in Virginia to be convicted of murder without a body.

The Trial

The trial of Richard Evonitz was a landmark case in Virginia history. It was the first time that someone had been convicted of murder without a body.

The prosecution's case against Evonitz was based on DNA evidence. Police found DNA from Gina's blood on Evonitz's clothing, and they also found DNA from Evonitz on Gina's car.

Evonitz's defense attorney argued that the DNA evidence was not conclusive and that Evonitz was innocent.

The jury did not believe Evonitz's defense, and they found him guilty of murder. Evonitz was sentenced to life in prison.

The Aftermath

The conviction of Richard Evonitz brought closure to Gina Renee Hall's family and friends. They had waited four years to learn what happened to Gina, and they were finally able to get justice.

The case of Gina Renee Hall also had a significant impact on the way that police investigate missing persons cases. Before Gina's case, police often did not take missing persons cases seriously unless there was evidence that the person had been abducted or killed.

After Gina's case, police began to take missing persons cases more seriously. They realized that even if there is no evidence that a person has been abducted or killed, they may still be in danger.

The case of Gina Renee Hall is a reminder that no one is ever truly safe. Even in a small town like Blacksburg, Virginia, there are people who are capable of committing heinous crimes.

We must never forget Gina Renee Hall. Her story is a reminder that we must always be vigilant and that we must never take our safety for granted.

Under the Trestle: The 1980 Disappearance of Gina Renee Hall & Virginia’s First “No Body” Murder Trial.

by Ron Peterson Jr.

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5223 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	334 pages

FREE