Fred Wiggington has been found guilty of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the death of his wife, Elsie Wiggington. The verdict came on the third day of the trial at the Amherst County Courthouse. The defense rested its case without calling any witnesses or presenting arguments.
A motion to strike the first-degree murder charge was denied by the judge, who ruled there was sufficient evidence to show premeditation. The jury deliberated and returned with a guilty verdict, bringing some measure of relief to Elsie’s grieving family.
“I’m happy that justice for Elsie is served today. I’m very relieved,” said Mary Jordan, Elsie’s sister, speaking to WDBJ7. “When you consider all the losses—my niece and nephew lost their mom, my foster sister Victoria and I lost our sister, and Fred’s mom lost her son—nobody walks away from this unscathed,” added Tracey Coleman, Elsie’s foster sister.
The family expressed gratitude to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for their dedication and persistence in pursuing the case. During closing arguments, the prosecution told the jury, “The truth didn’t stay buried. The truth is that he planned and executed his wife, Elsie Wiggington”, local NBC affiliate WSLS reported.
In contrast, the defense argued there was no direct physical evidence—no DNA, fingerprints, or blood—tying Fred to the crime or the scene. One of the trial’s most pivotal moments came from a jailhouse witness. An inmate who had shared a cell with Fred testified that Fred confessed to killing Elsie, telling him he shot her with a .22 caliber pistol and pawned the gun in Lexington.
The inmate also claimed Fred buried Elsie under a concrete slab in their yard and expressed no remorse for the act. “He ain’t got no remorse, he don’t give a damn,” the inmate said in a recorded interview. “It seems like he was planning it all to happen”, according to local CBS affiliate WDBJ.
According to the inmate, Fred also mentioned wanting to frame Elsie’s brother, Michael Knight, for the murder and claimed an anonymous tip led investigators to the burial site. He added that Fred had been cheating on Elsie with his ex-wife, Patricia, who remained supportive during the trial.
Despite the damning testimony, Fred’s attorney argued the case was circumstantial and insisted Fred maintains his innocence. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30. Fred also faces a separate charge for concealing a body, for which he will go to trial at a later date.