February 12, 2024

Emma Compton Layne was a Small Business Owner. She owned Cody Store located in Cody, VA which is in Halifax County, VA.

Emma was suppose to visit her Mother in the hospital on Sunday, June 18, 2017. Emma never showed up.

On Monday, June 19, 2017 Emma did not show up at her store as usual. Depite calls from her Mother, Sylvia McCurry(who was in the hospital) & her store Employees. No one was able to reach her by telephone. Monday morning, Shawna called her Mother & was informed that no one had seen or been able to reach her by telephone. Her Mother asked Shawna(who lives in MS)to call Wynona & ask her to go to Emma's home & check on her. When Wynona arrived, there was no sign of Emma; even though her car was parked in the yard, her dog, pocket book, money, credit cars, store deposits, cell phone, & back pack that Emma used to carry the store papers, etc. were all in the home. According to Wynona, she walked around the yard & pond looking for Emma, but there was no sight of Emma. It was as if Emma had just vanished. All of this was out of character for Emma. Even though things were in disarray, Wynona did not call Law Enforcement. On Tuesday morning June 20, 2017 at 6:00am(CST), Shawna called The Haifax County Sheriff's Office & reported Emma missing. At around 11:00am(EST) Law Enforcement arrived at Emma's home. A local Search & Rescue Team were called in to do a search. Sadly one of the members of the S & R Team had a heart attack & passed away. After this, there were no more searches made for Emma; even though The Texas Exquisearch Team from The OhioChapter was waiting for HCSD to invite them in. The President Dave Radar, never received any word from the HCSD. Also The Aware Foundation, founded & headed by Kenny Jarels, located in Roanoke, VA waan't invited in by The HCSD. The Captain of Investigators at the time, Mike Womack stated that No Outside Help was needed. On November 22, 2017: 5 Months & 4 Days after Emma was listed as a Missing Person, Emma's Remains were found by a Hunter 200 yards from the property owned by Emma & Russell Layne on another Land Owner's Property. Emma had been left in the wooded area as if she was Trash.

As of today no Suspect or even a Person of Interest has been named. The CWA Tracy Martin, has pushed aside Emma's Case & refuses to allow any person to be named. She also told Emma’s Sister, Shawna Krohn, "I will not continue to have the same conversation with you every month". This statement was made because Shawna calls for updates. 

Shawna & The People of Halifax County & surrounding Counties feel they too could be in danger from Emma's Murderer & Accomplicies. 

Please sign Emma's Petition supporting that; as HCSD & The CWA "Emma's Case Is a Top Priority Case". Emma deserves Justice & those responsible need to be held accountable for a Senseless. Cold Blooded Murderer.

Sincerely,

Shawna Compton Krohn