MURDERED: Pherbia “Faye” Tinsley
When Pherbia Tinsley is found shot to death inside her car miles from her apartment in Central Virginia, authorities work fast to try and find her killer. Detectives uncover a handful of wild secrets in the lives of those around Pherbia which only deepen the mystery. Suspects are developed but the questions: who wanted Pherbia dead? and why? still plagues cold case investigators.
For our friends in the Deaf and Signing community, you can view an ASL version of this episode.
Picture of the Charlottesville VFW Lodge.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
800 Block of Hardy Drive in Charlottesville taken in 2022.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
Captain William Newberry of the Charlottesville Police Department with the Pherbia Tinsley Case file.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
Captain William Newberry of the Charlottesville Police Department with the Pherbia Tinsley Case file.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
Map indicating the distance between the 800 Block of Prospect Avenue and 800 Block of Hardy Drive.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
Map indicating the distance between the 800 Block of Prospect Avenue and Pherbia Tinsley’s apartment at Barracks West Apartments.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
800 Block of Prospect Avenue in Charlottesville taken in 2022.
Photo Source: Delia D’Ambra
Please contact the authorities If you have any information about the following cases:
If you know any information about the unsolved murder of Pherbia ‘Faye’ Tinsley, please call the Charlottesville Police Crimestoppers Tip Line at 434-977-4000.
The Justice for Pherbia ‘Faye’ Tinsley Facebook page is still going strong. This page was a source for many of the photos we used in the blog post for this episode.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Delia D’Ambra
- Court and jail records provided by the Charlottesville- Albemarle Regional Jail and Virginia Judicial System
- Justice for Pherbia Facebook Page.
- YouTube: Small Town Big Crime Podcast
- The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA): UPDATE: Suspect described in woman’s killing. By Ted Strong.
- The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA): Police give description of suspect in slaying of woman in SUV.
- The Hook (Charlottesville, VA): ‘Gentle demeanor’: Tinsley family mourns loss, seeks answers, by Courteney Stuart.
- The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA): City police grateful for tips on recent homicide — and seek more, by Megan Davis.
- CBS19: Family and Friends Hold Vigil For Pherbia Tinsley.
- The Hook (Charlottesville, VA): Vigil for Tinsley: Friends, family gather to remember shooting victim, by Courteney Stuart.
- The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA): Albemarle woman was shot in the neck.
- CBS 19: Funeral Planned for Pherbia Tinsley, Homicide Victim.
- Danville Register and Bee (Danville, VA): “City Police grateful for tips on recent homicide – and seek more”, by staff.
- The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA): Reward offered in Tinsley killing.
- CBS19 (Charlottesville, VA): Pherbia Tinsley’s Family Says Shooting Remains A Mystery.
- CBS19 (Charlottesville, VA): One Year Later: No New Leads in Tinsley Murder Case.
- C-Ville Country (Charlottesville, VA): Family and friends of Pherbia Faye Tinsley honor her.
Suggested Episodes
WANTED: Justice for MMIP
May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Month, and we want to highlight some of the many cases involving members of Native American communities that so often go underreported and underserved, and thus unsolved.
WANTED: Justice for David Carter
Ohio State Highway Patrol were identifying unknown remains along the side of a highway in northern Ohio at the same time a man in Michigan was being reported missing.
WANTED: Justice for Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Bruguier
When a young South Dakota couple goes missing from the scene of a car accident in 1992, local police launch a large-scale investigation that ultimately ends in tragedy.
Join our Fan Club to listen to this episode and more!
Unlock all of the exclusive benefits and dynamic listening experience as a Crime Junkie Fan Club member.
Join the Fan Club now to reap the rewards!
