The Deck Lois West (Ace of Hearts, Virginia)
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Feb 25, 2026 Jake Rice, a retired James City County investigator who now handles property, evidence, and cold cases, shares the Lois West cold case. They recount the 1986 discovery, identification through an Army class ring, scene clues like hairs tying to different ancestries, last sightings, and preserved evidence slated for modern DNA retesting.
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Contractor Found Victim In Muddy Bathtub
- A contractor named Peter Smith discovered Lois West's body in a mostly full, muddy bathtub in a vacant Williamsburg house on August 15, 1986.
- He noticed painted toenails and the woman's awkward, partially face-down position, which immediately prompted him to back out and call police.
Ring And Fingerprints Led To Identification
- Investigators identified the victim as 24-year-old Lois West using an Army class ring and prints from a prior breaking-and-entering arrest.
- Eastern State Hospital records confirmed Lois had been released days earlier, linking her to the found clothing inscription L West.
Autopsy Points To Forceful Drowning Without Drugs
- The autopsy showed contusions on Lois's head, neck, and arms and ruled the cause of death as drowning, suggesting forceful submersion.
- Lack of defensive marks and no intoxicants in toxicology complicate the profile of how she was subdued.