Killer of Virginia Woman Found Stuffed in a Toolbox Gets Life Sentence

Justice has been served for a Virginia woman who was packed into a toolbox after being stabbed more than 90 times.

Hagen Lawrence Roberts, 41, gets life in prison plus five years for murdering Cynthia Capps in 2020. Per a news release, Roberts received the maximum sentence for the charges on 25 February, more than five years after he committed the crime.

The sentencing comes three months after a jury found Roberts guilty of first-degree murder and stabbing. Evidence also confirmed that Roberts killed Capps, based on DNA found on a folding knife, discarded clothes, and blood stains discovered at the crime scene.

A Drop of Blood Reveals a Gruesome Crime

On 8 October 2020, Capps' husband called 911 after finding a drop of blood on their kitchen floor while he was looking for his wife. Upon arrival, Virginia Beach police were advised that the residence was also being rented out to Roberts at the time.

Police breached Roberts' bedroom and found him lying on his bed, nursing a cut on his right hand. They found Capps' body stuffed inside a toolbox after tracking a trail of blood stains in the backyard.

Capps was stabbed more than 90 times on the head, face, and neck, per the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A metal shard, extracted from Capps' skull, matched with a bloody folding knife found in Roberts' room. Bloodstained clothes were also discovered in the rubbish bin outside.

Judge Convicts Killer After 'Overwhelming' Evidence

Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan described the evidence 'overwhelming' during Roberts' sentencing last Wednesday. Per The Virginian-Pilot, Mahan also deemed the maximum sentence insufficient because of the 'savage' nature of the crime.

Roberts maintained that he was innocent, asserting that he was sorry Capps was no longer alive. 'The picture you're painting of me as a menace to society, and a killer with no remorse, is not true. I do have remorse,' he said. 'But I can't lie and admit to something I didn't do.'

Roberts confirmed his prior convictions were traffic and minor drug charges, but he would never hurt anyone. He said he was friendly with Capps and helped her with the housework. His lawyer said they're appealing the conviction.

Family Says Victim's Murder Was 'Worse than Anything'

Capps' brother said the gruesome murder was stranger than fiction. He compared it to one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time. 'Could you imagine living through the horror of looking at someone stabbing you and feeling the knife in your face?' he stated. 'Hitchcock's Psycho isn't that bad. It's worse than anything you see on TV.'

Capps' family described her as a friend to many and an avid gardener. She also served in the U.S. Air Force and conducted cryogenics research. Capps also 'loved her daughter desperately' along with her grandchildren.

Capp's brothers said her death, especially the manner in which she was killed, has torn their family apart. "Cynthia died in one of the most horrific manners this court has ever seen," Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Gordie Ufkes added at the sentencing.